MP blasts Barra patient’s 41-hour hospital trip

An Isles MP has blasted the Hebrides' ‘degraded' transport system, after a patient on the Isle of Barra endured a 41-hour return journey for a 10-minute medical appointment on Lewis, writes Sandy Neil.

Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP Angus MacNeil is calling for joint working to radically improve patient travel arrangements between islands.

Mr MacNeil was contacted by Barra's main care provider, Cobhair Bharraigh, who informed him of a patient's 41-hour return journey to an appointment in Stornoway which took 10 minutes, versus the 28 hours it might take to travel to and from Glasgow.

Mr MacNeil is calling on NHS Western Isles, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and the Scottish Government to improve the travel arrangements for patients between Barra, Uist and

Stornoway, to allow patients to get to hospital appointments in a timely and decent manner.

Mr MacNeil said: ‘Over the last number of years we've seen a degradation in the transport system in the Hebrides meaning it is now easier – and faster

– to go to Edinburgh or London or even Brussels than it is to go from one end of the Hebrides to the other.

‘At the moment, people have unacceptably long journeys, of ferries, overnight stays and then a flight to get to Stornoway, then all day to wait to get a flight back with the hope it is not delayed so there is another overnight stay before getting home. For now, the fastest way to get to Stornoway from Barra is via Glasgow. Therefore, action has to be taken, either flying via Glasgow to get to Stornoway or instead using Glasgow hospitals to avoid the difficult journeys patients have had.'

A NHS Western Isles spokesperson said: ‘The flight schedule had been changed by Loganair and there is a reduction in flights from Benbecula to Stornoway. This is outwith NHS Western Isles' control.

‘The 8.45am flight is the direct to Glasgow flight on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and on Tuesday and Thursday the Glasgow flight is not until 11am to allow a return flight to Stornoway.

‘Where we can, we make adjustments to arrangements to minimise the impact on patients. We have also significantly increased the number of appointments held virtually to prevent travel where this is appropriate and possible. We would not send patients outwith the board area for an appointment or treatment that can be provided by the host board.'

The Comhairle nan Eilean Siar said it ‘will continue to lobby for additional funds to allow for a return to a five-day service'.

A Scottish Government spokesperson added: ‘We recognise some patients living in more rural parts of Scotland will have greater distances to travel to attend medical appointments. The Highlands and Islands Patient Travel Scheme is in place to provide financial assistance with travel costs to any patient more than 30 miles away from the hospital they are attending.'

‘At the moment, people have unacceptably long journeys...’