Council reinstatement call of 24/7 NHS Emergency Cover, Portree and North Skye

Members of The Highland Council have agreed that an approach should be made to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, Shona Robison, to come to meet with the Leader of Highland Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson and the four Skye councillors on behalf of the Skye and Raasay Committee to request that the 24/7 NHS Emergency Cover be reinstated for Portree and North Skye.

The meeting with the four Skye councillors will also include Members from Ward 5 (Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh).

Members agreed the approach to the Cabinet Secretary following discussion on a motion to the Meeting of The Highland Council on Thursday 29 June from 3 Skye Councillors; Cllr Calum MacLeod, Cllr Ronald MacDonald and Cllr John Gordon  which stated:

“The people of Skye and Raasay are asking for 24/7 NHS Emergency Cover to be reinstated for Portree and North Skye. The people of Skye and Raasay also have widespread unease about the NHS Highland redesign process with many key questions remaining unanswered.

Since these unanswered questions relate literally to life and death issues, we ask the Highland Council to approach the Cabinet Secretary for Health & Sport, Shona Robison, to come to meet with the Leader of Highland Council and with the four Skye Councillors on behalf of the Isle of Skye and Raasay Committee.”

Members also discussed the NHS response tabled to the Council from NHS Highland’s Chair David Alston.