Nwicker60
13-Feb-15, 11:04
John O' Groat Journal headlines for February 13, 2015
JUNIOR doctors could be withdrawn from Caithness General Hospital, because of a lack of consultants to supervise their training. That emerged yesterday, as it was confirmed an independent body will be visiting the Wick hospital, today, to assess the situation. The hospital currently only has five of its 12 consultants posts, filled.
CONFUSION surrounds a reported new delay in the completion of the new Wick and associated primary school and community library and swim pool. Highland councillors were, on Wednesday, told that the new campus will not open until at least April 2017 as a result of hold-ups in the signing of contracts.
THE future of out-of-hours surgery at Caithness General Hospital should be decided "over the next few months" according to a senior consultant at the hospital. John Macleod, a 52-year-old consultant anaesthetist, who also runs the Highland chronic pain unit says whatever the outcome, the way the service is provided, has to change.
A PLAN to give £100,000 to two Caithness social enterprises has been deferred by local councillors. They want more detailed information before granting money from the deprived area fund, to Pulteneytown People's Project and Ormlie Community Accociation for 2015/16. The former was recommended to get £87,000 and the latter £13,000 -the same as they were given for the current financial year.
HEALTHY school meals are still a turn-off for pupils, the head of the HIghland school canteen service has warned. Norma Murray, facilities services manager, said it was "soul destroying" seeing pupils turning their noses up at the nutritioncal canteen lunches and then wandering down the street for a poke of cheese and chips.
PLANS are under way to give every secondary school pupil in Highland, a tablet computer. A scheme is being drawn up by Highland Council with the potential to give all pupils an iPad mini, worth about £199 in the hope that it will improve results. The head teacher at Alness High where the project has been piloted said the change in pupils' attitude to learning was transformational.
A FAMILY from Quoybrae is to run the first Forestry Commision Scotland starter farm in the Highlands, Sandy and Kirsteen Douglas will take up occupancy at Achnamoine near Halkirk on April 1, along with their eight-year-old son. The starter farm programme gives new farmers an opportunity to get their first foothold into the industry.
SCOTTISH miniters have given the green light to a wind farm near Barrock in the face of opposition by Highland councillors. The four-turbine scheme at Lochend, was rejected by the council's north planning committee in March last year. But developer, Wind Farm Ltd, has won its appeal agains the refusal of planning consent.
HOPING to send Huntly home heartbroken on St Valentine's Day, Wick Academy are looking to show no love towards their opponents when they visit Harmsworth Park tomorrow. After a gap of more than two months since the Scorries played in the Highland League, they came out of enforced hibernation to record a stunning 2-1 victory at Fraserburgh in the Breedon Aggregates Highland League Cup on Saturday. On their return to league business. Gordon Connelly is looking to close the gap on leaders Turriff United and second place Brora Rangers, with a win again Gregg Carrol's outfit this weekend.
JUNIOR doctors could be withdrawn from Caithness General Hospital, because of a lack of consultants to supervise their training. That emerged yesterday, as it was confirmed an independent body will be visiting the Wick hospital, today, to assess the situation. The hospital currently only has five of its 12 consultants posts, filled.
CONFUSION surrounds a reported new delay in the completion of the new Wick and associated primary school and community library and swim pool. Highland councillors were, on Wednesday, told that the new campus will not open until at least April 2017 as a result of hold-ups in the signing of contracts.
THE future of out-of-hours surgery at Caithness General Hospital should be decided "over the next few months" according to a senior consultant at the hospital. John Macleod, a 52-year-old consultant anaesthetist, who also runs the Highland chronic pain unit says whatever the outcome, the way the service is provided, has to change.
A PLAN to give £100,000 to two Caithness social enterprises has been deferred by local councillors. They want more detailed information before granting money from the deprived area fund, to Pulteneytown People's Project and Ormlie Community Accociation for 2015/16. The former was recommended to get £87,000 and the latter £13,000 -the same as they were given for the current financial year.
HEALTHY school meals are still a turn-off for pupils, the head of the HIghland school canteen service has warned. Norma Murray, facilities services manager, said it was "soul destroying" seeing pupils turning their noses up at the nutritioncal canteen lunches and then wandering down the street for a poke of cheese and chips.
PLANS are under way to give every secondary school pupil in Highland, a tablet computer. A scheme is being drawn up by Highland Council with the potential to give all pupils an iPad mini, worth about £199 in the hope that it will improve results. The head teacher at Alness High where the project has been piloted said the change in pupils' attitude to learning was transformational.
A FAMILY from Quoybrae is to run the first Forestry Commision Scotland starter farm in the Highlands, Sandy and Kirsteen Douglas will take up occupancy at Achnamoine near Halkirk on April 1, along with their eight-year-old son. The starter farm programme gives new farmers an opportunity to get their first foothold into the industry.
SCOTTISH miniters have given the green light to a wind farm near Barrock in the face of opposition by Highland councillors. The four-turbine scheme at Lochend, was rejected by the council's north planning committee in March last year. But developer, Wind Farm Ltd, has won its appeal agains the refusal of planning consent.
HOPING to send Huntly home heartbroken on St Valentine's Day, Wick Academy are looking to show no love towards their opponents when they visit Harmsworth Park tomorrow. After a gap of more than two months since the Scorries played in the Highland League, they came out of enforced hibernation to record a stunning 2-1 victory at Fraserburgh in the Breedon Aggregates Highland League Cup on Saturday. On their return to league business. Gordon Connelly is looking to close the gap on leaders Turriff United and second place Brora Rangers, with a win again Gregg Carrol's outfit this weekend.