The external view of out-of-hours urgent care services in Skye, Lochalsh and South West Ross is to begin next week.
Next Monday Sir Lewis Ritchie will start a four-day visit to the area as part of an independent examination of NHS Highland’s local services.
The visit follows an initial series of introductory meetings with local community representatives, clinicians and managers on February 2.
NHS Highland chair, David Alston, commissioned Sir Lewis to carry out the work after significant concerns about the service were raised with him by local elected representatives and some members of the community.
A series of meetings are proposed during his visit, including meeting with representatives from the SOS-NHS action group, community councils, and key relevant NHS Highland partner agencies.
He will also meet with a range of NHS staff providing health and social care across the area.
Sir Lewis said: “I am keen to meet as many people as possible. I have invited local councillors to kindly assist me to identify people who they feel it would be helpful for me to meet or speak with.
“While it may not be possible to meet with everyone, I will endeavour to ensure that there are mechanisms in place for people to have their views heard.
“Alongside this, my colleagues and I are reviewing a range of information, reports and data. This is to help to understand in detail, urgent local health and social care provision in the area.
Sir Lewis will lead a small team of health professionals drawn from the staff of other NHS boards in Scotland that also may have remote and rural service delivery challenges.
Individuals are invited to get in touch by email at skye.outofhours@nhs.net or write to c/o Maimie Thompson, Head of Public Relations and Engagement, NHS Highland, Assynt House, Inverness, IV2 3BW.
