SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has welcomed Health Secretary Neil Gray to the Western Isles today. The Cabinet Secretary undertook meetings in Uist this morning regarding Hospital@Home services and patient transport improvements, and will be meeting with local stakeholders on the Barra & Vatersay Community Campus project later this afternoon in Castlebay.

Commenting, Alasdair Allan said:

“I am very pleased to welcome the Health Secretary to Uist and Barra today, a year on from the summit we held locally on patient transport difficulties. While logistical challenges remain, significant steps forward have been taken – for example, the acquisition of a new plane better suited to the needs of some patients travelling up to Stornoway for healthcare, which will begin operations in the coming months, thanks to £100k in additional Scottish Government funding. Work is also being undertaken to examine the feasibility of expanding this service to five days a week.

“The Western Isles is at the forefront of the Hospital@Home scheme, delivering acute care in the home, and other rural and island areas will be able to follow our islands’ example of how this scheme supports rural patients in practice. I am also pleased that stakeholders in Barra have the opportunity today to meet with the Health Secretary, as well as representatives from CNES and NHSWI, to discuss the next steps for the campus project after the Scottish Government reconfirmed its commitment to the development as part of spending plans for this financial year.

“We must continue working to improve accessibility of healthcare to all islanders, no matter which part of the Western Isles they live in, through both decentralising services and improving patient travel. I am grateful to NeALLAN WELCOMES HEALTH SECRETARY TO UIST AND BARRAil Gray for his support on this front, and for travelling to Uist and Barra today to meet with patients, local stakeholders and delivery partners.”