Speak up now or Oban hospital services will be lost, says council

SPEAK now or hospital services in Oban may be lost to Fort , that was the message at Oban community council.

Arising out of news that Fort William was likely to get a purpose-built hospital in the next few years councillor Duncan MacIntyre said it was time to consider where the hospital in Oban was going and what services would be provided.

Last week’s meeting heard councillor Duncan MacIntyre argue that the two areas must work together.

‘Recruiting specialist staff is difficult in rural hospitals. But most consultants are available to people.

‘Fewer specialists are coming onto the job market making it difficult to recruit staff.

‘ Without doubt the problem is the NHS does not have the staff or skilled people.

‘If we go back a few years there was the opportunity to build a new hospital at Ballachulish.

‘They may well be looking at a new hospital in Fort William.

‘Oban and Belford need to knock heads together to get the best for both areas.

‘We have to be sensible and say what is best for the West Highlands we need to make sure we have the work for them to do.’

Duncan Martin, a community councillor, agreed: ‘ We will have a single team working for both hospitals. Everyone wants new services.’

Community council chairwoman Marri Malloy said: ‘I highlighted this problem two years ago.

‘Our hospital is under threat. My job here on the community council is to make sure our hospital stays staffed and stays open.’

Community councillor George Berry said: ‘There is no cost to someone’s health.

‘If all the money to be spent on nuclear budgets was spent on the NHS then it would be able to meet everyone’s needs.’