Unease over care plans

Concerns have been raised about plans for a shake-up of specialist day care centres in Caithness.

For more than a decade, the Alzheimer Scotland charity has had the contract to run day care services at Longberry Alzheimer’s centre at Pulteney House, in Wick, and at the Couthie Corner at Bayview House, in Thurso.

However, NHS Highland announced yesterday that it had carried out a review and had “agreed to explore options to increase flexibility” in the service.

Few details about the plans were disclosed, but the health board said change was required to benefit growing numbers of vulnerable people who do not have dementia. The move has emerged amid fury in Caithness at a perceived “downgrading” of health services, including Caithness maternity

“String of news releases affecting healthcare”

unit and temporary closure last weekend of units at Dunbar Hospital in Thurso.

Nicola Sinclair, secretary of Caithness Health Action Team, said: “This is the latest in a string of news releases affecting healthcare in Caithness, and, once again, it is worryingly light on detail.”

Michelle Johnstone, NHS Highland’s area manager covering Caithness and Sutherland, said: “While the day service provided by Alzheimer Scotland offered excellent care, more flexible solutions are now required and we are in negotiation with a local provider with expertise and capacity to support improved access. We hope to make an announcement imminently and new arrangements will be in place before the current contract ends with minimal disruption for staff and service users.”