Radical changes in Highland NHS

We remember as children being urged to be “brave” before seeing a doctor, butnoweveryone in theHighlands is being warned to show “courage” over radical changes in their NHS.

NHS Highland chairman David Alston revealed radical changes to health services in the region were on their way. He spoke of “lots of individual acts of courage” being needed to accept doing things in a different way as part of his vision of the future.

Much of this has been forced by a pressing need for NHS Highland to find cuts of £100million over the next three years. It throws into focus an ongoing crisis in NHS funding generally and fractured relationships with politicians who set health budgets. Mr Alston’s comments covered some of the most contentious Highland issues about bed-blocking, care in the community and emergency services in remote areas.

Bed-blocking and care in the community are inextricably linked. We all remember stories about patients unable to leave Highland hospitals because there were not enough community care workers.

Much has been said about the training, recruitment and quality of care personnel. Mr Alston spoke of elevating the role to a professional level approaching nurse status. To do that would require heavy investment in time and cash, but would presumably relieve chronic pressure on the NHS in the long term. The most challenging thing about selling a vision is not only persuading people to buy into it, but also turning it into reality.

“Much of this is forced by a need for NHS Highland to find cuts of £100million over the next three years”