In the wake of an outcry at the Annual General Meeting of SOS NHS on January 29th, 2024, Councillor Ruraidh Stewart condemned NHS Highland for their repeated failures to fulfil commitments regarding the restoration of seven-day Urgent Care services at Portree Hospital. The outcry from the community follows multiple missed deadlines and a lack of response from NHS Highland to the group's repeated inquiries.
The AGM served as a stark reminder of the palpable disillusionment prevailing within the communities of North Skye, echoing the concerns articulated by Councillor Stewart in a recent letter to the Chair of NHS Highland.
Councillor Stewart stated, "This is not just about missed deadlines; it's about a systematic failure to engage with and respect the needs of our communities. The situation at Portree Hospital is not just a failure; it's a scandal. NHS Highland has time and again failed to keep its word, a dereliction of duty that is quite frankly inexcusable. Our community's patience has been exhausted."
Councillor Stewart has also criticised NHS Highland for excluding the community from their decision-making process, which contradicts their claims of keeping the community informed and involved. The Councillor has expressed disappointment and has accused NHS Highland of deliberately sidelining the community through a lack of communication and lack of transparency.
Highlighting the growing trust deficit, Councillor Stewart underscored the urgent necessity for NHS Highland to provide a concrete action plan and firm commitment to the immediate reinstatement of the Urgent Care services as promised. He vehemently denounces the "egregious and continuous disregard" for community health and wellbeing, stressing the severe implications of the Urgent Care service's significant downgrades since May 2018. He labels the situation as "not just unacceptable, but a blatant disregard for public health responsibilities."
Councillor Stewart, declared "It's high time for NHS Highland to step up, communicate honestly, and fulfil their obligations. Our communities deserve better than broken promises and closed doors."