LOCAL NEWS JUNE 27 2023

 

Urgent care centre plans “totally unacceptable”

The chair of SOS-NHS Skye has described new plans to extend urgent care at Portree Hospital as unacceptable and argued that the group were not consulted as part of the process.

Urgent care at the Skye capital hospital is currently provided at weekend and bank holidays only.

However, NHS Highland recently confirmed to Radio Skye that urgent care will be delivered from Portree Hospital four days a week from August and then extended to seven days a week from November.

Speaking to Radio Skye following an SOS-NHS Skye meeting on Monday night (26th June) chair Fay Thomson said: “I think the overall feeling is one of great disappointment and frustration.

“Certainly there was unanimous agreement that the proposals for urgent at the Sir Lewis Ritchie steering group meeting were just totally unacceptable, and there is real concern that there was no consultation whatsoever with the community before the proposed times of urgent care were announced.”

Radio Skye asked if the proposals were not the best viable solution, given the recruitment challenges faced by NHS Highland.

Ms Thomson said: “That is certainly not our observations…the basic fact is there was a service in 2018 from 8am to 11pm, and presumably some on-call overnight, so it is something that was provided in Portree for many years.”

Louise Bussell, NHS Highland’s Senior Responsible Officer for the Skye, Lochalsh and South West Ross redesign commented to Radio Skye after the meeting on Skye, where the proposal were announced.

She told that station that there was a general feeling of positivity about moving forward and she thanked the local communities for working with NHS to develop sustainable services in the area.

Views sought on new tourist levy bill

The Scottish Parliament is seeking views on a new visitor levy bill that would empower local authorities to introduce a small additional charge to overnight visitors.

Holyrood’s local government, housing and planning committee have open up a online forum for people to share their views on the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill.

In February, Councillor Ken Gowans who chairs the Highland Council’s economy committee, said the levy would bring in an estimated £5 to £10 million per year of revenue to the council to support the tourism sector, and improve infrastructure and enhance the visitor experience.

If approved the bill would not be implemented by the Highland Council until 2026.

Councillor Gowans said the council would use that time to undertake extensive consultation with its partners, communities, and stakeholders to assist in the Levy’s introduction across the Highlands.

New study finds Lochalsh bays among most polluted

Balmacara Bay has been ref flagged as one of most polluted areas according to an aerial photo study of Scotland’s waters.

Scotland’s Coastal Rubbish Aerial Photography (SCRAPbook) used aerial photography collected by light aircraft to identify visible macro litter on the coast.

A team of citizen scientists assessed the images for data intensity and litter types.

The Lochalsh Community Council has reported that the evidence show its coastal area, particularly Balmacara Bay and areas of Kyle, as some of the most polluted shores with marine litter registering a score of five – the highest on the intensity scale

The Moray Firth Coastal Partnership will be in the area for a week over August to help clean up our shores.

Images below taken by the SCRAPbook project detail the intensity of the pollution found.

 

SEALL appoints new creative director

Skye-based cultural body SEALL has announced the appointment of a new creative director

Jamie Sutherland is currently the Music Programme Manager at Edinburgh’s Summerhall Arts Venue and will take up the post in September.

Gareth Morgan, Chair of the SEALL board, described Jamie as an outstanding individual who he said will bring innovation, creativity, and leadership to SEALL in this key role.

Commenting on his appointment, Jamie Sutherland said he was thrilled and delighted to take on the role of Creative Director at SEALL.

He added: “The opportunity to move up to this beautiful part of the world is one my family and I couldn’t pass up! I look forward to meeting and working with the brilliant team and board at SEALL.”

You can listen to the latest local news for Skye and Lochalsh live at the times below by clicking on the banner. 👇