TEN YEARS AGO
Thursday March 27 2014
Key consultant role remains unfilled
Despite an extensive nationwide advertising campaign, there is still a consultant surgeon vacancy at the Belford, created by David Sedgwick’s retirement in January.
NHS Highland said both Caithness General and Lorn and Islands hospitals are experiencing the same problem.
Pregnant women in Lochaber currently face gruelling round trips of up to 200 miles for obstetric scans at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, because their local hospital cannot recruit a specialist sonographer.
Dr Paul Davidson, clinical director, said: ‘We are increasingly concerned about recruitment of all specialist staff but, in particular, consultants.
"There is a national recruitment problem and when you have small numbers of staff, such as in rural general hospitals, the impact is felt much more acutely.
"We cannot be passive with such an important issue which is why we are actively recruiting to the vacant posts while also exploring the option of a redesign to ensure Belford Hospital meets the needs of the Lochaber population."
Asked whether the general surgeon vacancy was impacting on patient care, hospital manager Marie Law said: "Since Mr Sedgwick left there have not been fewer operations in the hospital.
"There is active recruitment to his post and also to a physician post, and indeed a new physician joined the team in January.
"We are currently using locum consultant surgeons to maintain the service. There are no plans to stop operating in Belford.
"Nor is there any truth or fact in the suggestion that we plan to have just an A & E department and a clinic. This would be impossible with our current bed usage."
Dr Brian Tregaskis, clinical lead for the hospital, added: "We are sorry if people have been anxious and I would like to reassure the public that we all work extremely hard to sustain services in Belford.
"We greatly appreciate the support of the people of Lochaber and are sorry for any misinformation that may have led to concerns."
TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO
Saturday March 27 1999
Sláinte
It will be a case of open (almost) all hours for hotels and pubs in and around Fort William when Royal National Mòd Lochabair comes to town in October.
On Monday, Lochaber Licensing Board gave Mòd participants and followers virtual freedom of the Fort’s hotels and hostelries. Local landlords and publicans have been granted the go-ahead to apply for extensions of normal drinking hours until 4 o’clock every morning during Mòd Week, including Monday.
A condition that live entertainment be provided by the licensed premises found no favour with the board, and Councillor lain Macdonald pointed out that Mòd enthusiasts were more than capable of catering for their own ceilidhs.
The matter of Sunday and Monday morning extensions did not meet with unanimity by the Licensing Board members, and was settled on a 4-2 vote.
There was considerable discussion prior to the majority decision of the way in which applications - to be lodged at least four weeks before the Mod - for an extension of permitted hours would be handled.
Stewarding will require to be provided at the hostelries and hotels, with one steward per 50 patrons, and stewards on the door.
Chief Inspector, John Gourlay, area commander of Lochaber Police, said at the outset that Northern Constabulary "recognise Mòd Week as an occasion where some people understandably wish to enjoy".
He added that at recent Mòds the behaviour of competitors and spectators in licensed premises where there were late licences had been "fine".
Councillor Michael Foxley observed, as one who had attended the last four Mòds: "All of them were remarkably good natured occasion, where the only problem was in getting to the bar - after having managed to reach the establishments themselves."
SEVENTY FIVE YEARS AGO
Saturday March 26 1949
Kyle of Lochalsh news
DRAMA CLUB.- Kyle Drama Club secured second place at the Thursday session of the Highland Divisional Drama Festival finals held in Inverness last week. Their play was "The Innkeeper of Dalchroy," the parts being acted by Robert A. Reid, Katherine Tancock, Jemima Murchison, R. Cochrane, and Alistair MacKenzie.
PRESENTATION.- At a social evening in Kyle, the local staff of the S.C.W.S. warmly congratulated Mr J. O. MacHardy, branch manager, and Mrs MacHardy, on their recent marriage. Mr James Forbes presided.
In presenting the young couple with an electric radiator, Miss Clarice MacRae welcomed Mrs MacHardy to the district, and wished both much happiness in their new life at Kyle.
DUNCRAIG CASTLE- At the Castle on March 17 the pupils of the Girls’ School entertained the public of Lochalsh.
Mr J. MacLintock, Assistant Director of Education presided over a packed hall and enhanced his reputation as a humorous and resourceful chairman.
A programme of English and Gaelic songs, sketches, recitations, dances, and gymnastics was presented by the girls.
The performances were of a high standard, and, with the charming and colourful costumes, reflected very creditably on the talent and industry of both pupils and teachers.
Votes of thanks were proposed by Miss C MacRae, lady superintendent.
Hotel keepers deputation to Fort William Town Council
Suggestions for improving the amenities of the burgh were put forward by a deputation from the Fort William Hotel and Caterers Association, which was received on Monday by the Town Council at a special meeting.
Some of the suggestions put forward by the association were - an improvement to the west end approach to the town, to include the laying out of lawns and flower beds; the clearing of the shore by bulldozers to expose the sand; the installation of swimming pool; the laying of hard tennis courts and the provision of a golf course.
They also felt the building of a jetty for small craft would be a great acquisition.
From this jetty a regular service could be run to the sands at Caol, which could be cleaned and improved and would make a splendid bathing beach.
The Provost pointed out in this connection that next year they hoped to see 400 people in residence at Caol, which would mean that a better road would be provided and a regular bus service. This would make access to the beach much more convenient.
(1) That in view of the seriousness of the situation the Board of Agriculture take control of the pier immediately.
(2) That the Board of Agriculture take immediate action to render the pier safe for traffic.
(3) That the closing of the pier will aggravate the distress which is known to the world to be acute in this area and will leave us without hope of remedy.
(4) That we appeal to the Board of Agriculture to come to our assistance and thus prevent the condition of existence in the parish from becoming entirely unbearable, as already we cannot face the situation and feel that in the future our position will be desperate.
Yes! I would like to be sent emails from West Coast Today
I understand that my personal information will not be shared with any third parties, and will only be used to provide me with useful targeted articles as indicated.
I'm also aware that I can un-subscribe at any point either from each email notification or on My Account screen.