Flight cancellations due to strike will impact NHS patients
Six weeks of cancellations to flights from Benbecula and Stornoway to Inverness could disrupt 230 NHS patients, who travel for appointments, writes Finn Nixon.
Loganair announced last week they would be cancelling flights from these airports to Inverness for six weeks from tomorrow, Friday March 17, due to strike action.
This will have a significant impact on patients who travel from Benbecula and Lewis to Inverness for appointments or treatment, with NHS Western Isles estimating that 230 patients could be affected. A further 270 patients who were scheduled to attend on-island appointments with a visiting consultant could also be impacted.
Loganair has cited continuing industrial dispute at several airports owned by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL), as the reason for the cancellations.
They say it is because of the unpredictable impact of the work-to-rule action, where last-minute staff absences cannot be covered by overtime or shift swaps.
A Loganair spokesperson said: “We have sadly concluded it’s simply not realistic to continue our efforts to provide services between HIAL airports when the action short of a strike is intended to disrupt and counter those efforts at every turn.
“The suspension provides advance – even if unwelcome – certainty around which our customers can adjust travel plans, as opposed to facing the risk of on-the-day flight cancellations or significant delays. We hope the period of suspension – initially through to April 30 – will provide time and space for the parties to meet and reach a resolution.”
NHS Western Isles has attempted to make alternative arrangements for their patients, which involve travelling by ferry and they say this means they have avoided disruption for around 100 additional patients.
NHS Western Isles chief executive, Gordon Jamieson said: “With the exception of the pandemic, this action potentially presents us with the most significant disruption to patient services that we have experienced.
“This action has come at the worst possible time when there is already significant pressure on the NHS, which makes it difficult to secure alternative options for patients.
“Our staff across the service are working with colleagues at NHS Highland to ensure that, where there is an alternative arrangement, that we rapidly put that in place.”
Passengers travelling to Inverness will need to make a two-day return trip using a ferry and a bus, rather than their usual one-day journey.
SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has called on Loganair to find an alternative solution.
Mr Allan said: “People in the Western Isles rely heavily on this service. I appreciate that ongoing industrial action will be affecting Loganair’s ability to reliably deliver services. However, it is totally unacceptable to cancel all connections between the Western Isles and Inverness for at least six weeks.”
Further ferry disruption, could cause more travel issues for patients as Highland Council announced last Wednesday that the reopening of Uig harbour has been delayed until Thursday March 23.