NHS Service in Caithness

[janeyj]

I also would like to express my condolences to the family. Going with the figures in the NHS Highland statement it appears that 170 mothers gave birth in Caithness during 2014. The current downgrading of the maternity facility and raising of the threshold for transfer of expectant mothers to Raigmore will, after this tragedy, mean in my opinion that clinical staff will err strongly on the side of caution and recommend that the majority of mums-to-be will be persuaded to head for Raigmore. So are we looking at a figure of maybe 100 extra expectant mothers a year heading for Inverness? Is Raigmore geared up for such an invasion from the North? Living near to Raigmore does not require so much forward planning as the hospital is a short drive away when labour sets in. Could it be that not only will Raigmore have to accommodate an extra 100 expectant mums a year but they will also have to plan births more in advance requiring Far North mums to head south well in advance of Labour setting in. If so, then might this result in 'bed-blocking' in Raigmore's maternity unit on a scale never before experienced?

[Alice in Blunderland]

I also would like to express my condolences to the family. Going with the figures in the NHS Highland statement it appears that 170 mothers gave birth in Caithness during 2014. The current downgrading of the maternity facility and raising of the threshold for transfer of expectant mothers to Raigmore will, after this tragedy, mean in my opinion that clinical staff will err strongly on the side of caution and recommend that the majority of mums-to-be will be persuaded to head for Raigmore. So are we looking at a figure of maybe 100 extra expectant mothers a year heading for Inverness? Is Raigmore geared up for such an invasion from the North? Living near to Raigmore does not require so much forward planning as the hospital is a short drive away when labour sets in. Could it be that not only will Raigmore have to accommodate an extra 100 expectant mums a year but they will also have to plan births more in advance requiring Far North mums to head south well in advance of Labour setting in. If so, then might this result in 'bed-blocking' in Raigmore's maternity unit on a scale never before experienced?

The maternity unit would not suffer too drastically from bed blocking as the mums to be would be taken down in advance and be allocated rooms in Kyle court. Once baby is born with no complications for mum and baby ( no pediatric care needed ) they can be discharged back to Wick or home. The only issue would be capacity with reductions in beds on many wards this would no doubt have to be watched when factoring in the rise in numbers from Caithness.
I have to admit from when I had my first child to my last I did notice that they were encouraging healthy mums and babies to go home as soon as possible. My first stay was almost a week, new mums with no complications are in and out in no time.

[gerry4]

Maybe this is why Caithness & other rural area find it almost impossible to find GP's. Trainee doctors being warned off being GP's by medical schools & concultants, leaving 20% of GP training places unfilled.

One of the major keys to solving Caithness's problem with GP's is to recognise that it is not just Caithness's problem.

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14179431.Medical_trainees_warned_off__dead_end__GP _careers/

[janeyj]

I see that Raigmore now has 4 wards with no, or restricted, visiting today because of the novovirus. For years now it seems to be a regular occurrence. The hospital just can't seem to ever get on top of this awful problem. Is this the fault of a reduction in personal hygiene by us, as patients and visitors, or the staff themselves? Being admitted to Raigmore fills me with fear I have to say. I suppose the bigger the hospital then the greater the risk of the virus spreading. Yet another reason to maintain services at our local hospitals would everyone agree?

Love

Janey

[Alice in Blunderland]

Novovirus pops up even in the smallest of hospitals. Its due to a combination of factors internal and external.
There are many arguments to maintaining services locally however if people need to go to Raigmore for services at present they should not be afraid as I am sure the staff there will do their best to make their stay as safe as possible.

[Kenn]

There is a simple way to combat novovirus, it's called hygene. A hospital should make that a priority both amongst staff and visitors it's as simple as washing/sterilising one's hands.
Raimore has a long history of ward closures due to this so does that not point to things not being right?
With regard to transfers to Raigmore it worries me, if as happened a few weeks ago The A9 was closed south of Helmsdale, the alternative route being via Altnharra, Lairg if that route was passible this would add another 2/3 hours to the journey.

[janeyj]

Did I read in the press the other day that Raigmore is now putting it's staff through a 'How to wash your hands properly' training course?

[neilsermk1]

Did I read in the press the other day that Raigmore is now putting it's staff through a 'How to wash your hands properly' training course?they really need it, last time I was down there I observed several staff members walking past the hand hygene stations. Why are they surprised when Norovirus strikes.

[norma stewart]

the cause of these ward closures is.when i was in caithness general there was no cleaners in at the weekend and that was the maternity ward

[Kenn]

The biggest problem is with people not washing their hands, there are facilities on entering the hospital, all visitors should use them as should staff , no contact should be made with a new patient until this has been done, it's so simple.

[celtchicky]

the cause of these ward closures is.when i was in caithness general there was no cleaners in at the weekend and that was the maternity ward

I can say that there are cleaners in at the weekend!

[norma stewart]

There wasn't when I was in the hospital in March last year and the staff need more than showing how to wash there hands

[celtchicky]

There wasn't when I was in the hospital in March last year and the staff need more than showing how to wash there hands.

Cant see why Maternity is any different from other areas of hospital as domestics have worked weekends for as long as I remember....

what else do you mean?

[norma stewart]

threre was no cleaner came into my room and cleaned.its shocking

[Fran]

There are definetly cleaners in the wards at weekends. My friend works at weekends cleaning

[norma stewart]

Well there wasn't when I was in.

[Bored]

This thread seems to have been forgotten, why are all the supporters of CHAT not discussing this anymore? It is not just about maternity it is also about lack of healthcare in Caithness, eg. Outpatients clinics being cut, ambulance cover, if there were more remote outpatients clinics it would reduce patient transport service demands and reduce the parking problems at Raigmore. It would also cut the amount of expenditure on travel costs. No brainer NHS Highland! Anyone got any further thoughts?

[Ballymore]

This was a few years ago.
After seeing the Dermatologist for 5 minutes in Raigmore I asked him why he didn't do clinics at CGH - his answer was roughly:
During the 5 hours it takes me to travel up and down the road I can see several patients, so if I had to go to CGH the waiting time to see me would be longer.
Being the only Dermatologist in this area at the time I could understand his logic.
Yes it would be convenient for us up here but turn the equation the other way round - 5 hours is a lot of consulting time lost.

[The Horseman]

I understand that people are paid to travel to see a Doctor/Specialist in Scotland And do you get money for an overnite stay?
In North America you pay for your own way. I recently went for an MRI and travelled 90 minutes there and 90 minutes back. There is no reimbursement/And no paid accommodation. If you chose to live in an area where there are sparse Health Coveages then it is not the Health Dept's fault.
If you have insufficient money or job, Volunteers will provide transportation to and from the appointment. These volunteers get paid for their mileage only. If accomodation is required there are McDonald Houses which are funded by McDonald Restaurants.
The health systems are overstretched across the Globe. Do more with less and this will get worse. Pay raises are eating away at the Budgets, Dr's and Specialists fees are ever increasing and there is only so much money to go around.
For transportation from Hospital to Hospital ambulances are not used. They are only for Emergencies.. The shuttle sqervice is provided by Care attendants, who are paid less than Paramedics and are not on call, thus a much cheaper service.
Just FYI....

[mi16]

I understand that people are paid to travel to see a Doctor/Specialist in Scotland And do you get money for an overnite stay?
In North America you pay for your own way. I recently went for an MRI and travelled 90 minutes there and 90 minutes back. There is no reimbursement/And no paid accommodation. If you chose to live in an area where there are sparse Health Coveages then it is not the Health Dept's fault.
If you have insufficient money or job, Volunteers will provide transportation to and from the appointment. These volunteers get paid for their mileage only. If accomodation is required there are McDonald Houses which are funded by McDonald Restaurants.
The health systems are overstretched across the Globe. Do more with less and this will get worse. Pay raises are eating away at the Budgets, Dr's and Specialists fees are ever increasing and there is only so much money to go around.
For transportation from Hospital to Hospital ambulances are not used. They are only for Emergencies.. The shuttle sqervice is provided by Care attendants, who are paid less than Paramedics and are not on call, thus a much cheaper service.
Just FYI....

we pay for our healthcare on a monthly basis in the UK

[Alrock]

...In North America you pay for your own way.....

& that is why you have medical charities set up to help those in need of medical help in 3rd World countries finding themselves doing most of their work in the USA because the USA in a 3rd World country for many living there. I'd sooner pay a bit more in tax & have a health service there for everyone who needs it regardless of their ability to pay than an American style private health service, which is what we will end up with if the Tories have there way.

[The Horseman]

& that is why you have medical charities set up to help those in need of medical help in 3rd World countries finding themselves doing most of their work in the USA because the USA in a 3rd World country for many living there. I'd sooner pay a bit more in tax & have a health service there for everyone who needs it regardless of their ability to pay than an American style private health service, which is what we will end up with if the Tories have there way.

Actually I am talking about Canada which has one of the best Health care systems in the World...Actually 30th out of 190. UK is 20th and America is 35th. Everyone is covered in Canada...yes I agree with your comment on the United States with 20 million people out of 360 million don't have health care. Mind you in America people refuse it.....and they can carry guns to Church and as long as they wear them above their jacket/coats, they are not a concealed weapon. So they are 'different' I must confess.
From being brought up in the UK and visiting every few years, there appears to be a sense of entitlement about many things....e.g. Disability cars........one day it will come back to bite the people.....I am not saying that as complaint....it is realism.....costs are going up and Service is going down.....and when the crunch hits these extras will be eliminated.....

[theone]

there appears to be a sense of entitlement about many things....e.g. Disability cars........one day it will come back to bite the people.....I am not saying that as complaint....it is realism.....costs are going up and Service is going down.....and when the crunch hits these extras will be eliminated.....

Never a truer word spoken.

[Michael Dennis]

I see they have closed the minor injury unit at the Dunbar this weekend from 8am today until 8am Monday due to staffing issues.

They haven't even bothered to reach out to other local NHS nurses employed at CGH to see if they can help with cover, they just closed it. (A relative has been a nurse in Wick for 30+ years, most of which at CGH since it opened - hence why I know they were not asked to help).

I really hope this isn't another under the radar trial at reducing services under the auspices of staffing issues, they have a very bad habit of that. Not only is this a major service loss in the west of the county but it will also put more pressure on ambulances as not everyone will be able to get to CGH under their own steam.

This makes me really mad!

[Camra]

NHS highland have been contacted under Freedom Of Information Act to establish not only the true cost of referrals to Raigmore as reimbursed by NHS Highland , but also to establish what the hidden cost is to the Caithness community and economy arising from time off work / childcare/ disruption and other unrecoverable costs arising from trips to Raigmore for 5 minute appointments.

[DMFB]

Camra what a waste of everyone's time asking for that information. It wont exist. More bureaucracy.

[Bill Fernie]

In case anyone has not seen it many of the health debates are now on the CHAT Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/caithnesshealth/

And for one of CHAT's biggest supporters John Nugent a local Church of Scotland minister - see https://www.facebook.com/john.nugent.39904

[Camra]

Camra what a waste of everyone's time asking for that information. It wont exist. More bureaucracy.


Actually, it wasnt a waste of time and the information does exist, to such an extent that NHS Highland were horrified at the revelation ( they didnt know the figures themselves until requested by FOI ) and which have now appeared in the national press. MP's MSP's and NHS Officials are now looking at all the contributory factors.

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/1333737/10000-outpatient-visits-in-last-year-from-caithness-to-norths-flagship-hospital/

Next on our agenda is NHS Highland misuse of HMRC Advisory Travel rates.....more to come.....

[Camra]

This thread seems to have been forgotten, why are all the supporters of CHAT not discussing this anymore? It is not just about maternity it is also about lack of healthcare in Caithness, eg. Outpatients clinics being cut, ambulance cover, if there were more remote outpatients clinics it would reduce patient transport service demands and reduce the parking problems at Raigmore. It would also cut the amount of expenditure on travel costs. No brainer NHS Highland! Anyone got any further thoughts?

It hasnt been forgotten, we've been busy... re

NHS highland have been contacted under Freedom Of Information Act to establish not only the true cost of referrals to Raigmore as reimbursed by NHS Highland , but also to establish what the hidden cost is to the Caithness community and economy arising from time off work / childcare/ disruption and other unrecoverable costs arising from trips to Raigmore for 5 minute appointments.

See further revelations in this thread and in local and national press......regards

[kosacid]

i got a appointment for my back to see a spinal surgeon ended up seeing a hands and knee doctor and he did not understand why i was sent to him, i did get seen one though eventual at Dunbar by a surgeon they sent up

[Better Out Than In]

I have always wondered should the NHS be free for everyone. A lot of resources are expended on those that have self-inflicted illnesses - i.e. poor diet, over-drinking, over weight, no exercise, smoking etc. The sort of self-inflicted illnesses this causes takes up a large proportion of the NHS budget. If there were more consequences from these sorts of behaviours such as paying a contribution to treatment costs then perhaps this would encourage better behaviours and allow the free NHS services to be more directed.

[orkneycadian]

There is no such thing as a free NHS (or lunch for that matter). As well as those with self inflicted illnesses mentioned above, the serially lazy also need to realise that their treatment needs to be paid from somewhere. Lounging around all day watching Jeremy Kyle or breeding does nothing for paying for your treatments.