The Highland’s Pre-hospital Immediate Care and Trauma (PICT) team have secured funding to continue operating 7 days per week until September 2022, at which point funding arrangements will be reviewed again.
PICT teams attend the scenes of major trauma incidents providing advanced care, extending the capabilities of the Scottish Ambulance Service, for those at risk of losing their life and those who require urgent medical attention.
Highland PICT had come under serious threat of having its service capabilities reduced from seven days per week to four days, following NHS Highland’s decision to withdraw funding.
Edward Mountain MSP, who has led a campaign to save PICT, has welcomed NHS Highland’s u-turn and is now pressing for a long-term solution which will secure the future of the service beyond September 2022.
As part of his campaign, Edward Mountain MSP had raised the issue directly with the Cabinet Secretary for Health & Social Care, who in his reply today confirmed the following:
“Scottish Government funding via the STN to the North of Scotland Regional Trauma Network will continue for the PICT service (12 hours per day) running from Raigmore Hospital in NHS Highland.
“My officials and the STN have engaged with NHS Highland and have confirmed they remain committed to the ongoing training of the PICT team and are keen for the PICT doctor service to continue. I also understand that NHS Highland have reversed the funding decision and have agreed to temporarily extend funding for the PICT service until September 2022, where it will be reviewed again.
“It is widely accepted that pre-hospital services in the North of Scotland area have been enhanced through the STN with the introduction of a team of Advanced Practitioners in Critical Care based at Raigmore Hospital. These highly-trained and skilled advanced practitioners are employed and governed by the Scottish Ambulance Service.
“The Scottish Government, STN and NHS Highland remain fully supportive of the service that PICT provides. PICT is an essential part of a fully joined up service that enables an equitable approach for pre-hospital care across the whole of Scotland.”
Edward Mountain MSP commented:
“Highland PICT is a world-class team and I am delighted it has secured the funding to continue as a 7 day per week service. NHS Highland have finally seen sense and I welcome their u-turn.
“I am however concerned that this funding is only in place for the next 6 months and I will continue to campaign for a long-term funding settlement that secures the future of the PICT service beyond September 2022.
“PICT offer a life-saving service and we simply cannot afford to downgrade their capabilities.”
