TEN YEARS AGO
Friday February 28, 2014
Legal battle delays Inveraray GP search
People in Inveraray and Furnace could be without a permanent GP for months as NHS Highland has become embroiled in a legal battle regarding its recruitment process for the post.
Doctor Robbie Coull, who runs Strachur Medical Practice, has accused the health authority of discriminating against him in his bid to take over Inveraray Medical Practice.
Dr Coull originally applied for the post in 2012, but lost out to Lochgilphead Medical Practice.
He claims NHS Highland tailored the recruitment process in favour of Lochgilphead Medical Practice by offering extra support, IT facilities and offering to delay contracts.
The Lochgilphead practice later pulled out after failing to find a GP for the surgery and the post was re-advertised at the end of last year.
Again applying for the post, Dr Coull wrote to NHS Highland seeking assurance that the process would be done fairly.
‘We wanted to make sure that we have the same information on what the health board is looking for as Lochgilphead Medical Practice has,’ Dr Coull explained.
But having received no response, he has issued a Court of Session summons to NHS Highland. The health authority must now respond to his claims.
If Dr Coull is not satisfied he will seek damages.
Dr Coull added: ‘It is extremely frustrating, but we want to make sure we have a fair hearing and that residents get the best service on offer,’ he said. ‘I have a lot of experience in this area and have doctors available that are ready to go to Inveraray Medical Practice...and offer a high quality service to Inveraray residents.’
A spokesman for NHS Highland confirmed the GP interviews had been postponed.
He said: ‘We will vigorously challenge, through legal means if necessary, any suggestion that there has been any wrong doing or irregularity.’
Inveraray Medical Practice will continue to run on a locum service until the matter is resolved.
Monthly cinema launched in Lochgilphead
People can grab a bucket of popcorn and watch all the latest movie releases as a monthly cinema is launched in Lochgilphead.
Mid Argyll Youth Development Services (MAYDS) has been award almost £7,000 from Awards for All to screen Warner Brothers films at its centre.
A large cinema screen, lit aisle and popcorn machine will ensure locals have the authentic movie experience.
Films, a mixture of latest releases and popular classics, will be screened at the cinema’s two monthly sittings; one will be for young people and the second for adults.
Fiona Kalache, manager of MAYDS, said: ‘There will be a mixture of films that we hope youngsters from eight years old can enjoy and hope that everyone will have a fantastic time.
‘With the popcorn machine and big screen we have tried to make it as realistic as possible.
‘We hope to screen the first movie in either March or possibly around the Easter holidays and it will run for the next 12 months.
TWENTY YEARS AGO
Friday February 27, 2004
Desperate to save Ronachan house
Desperate action is being taken by Argyll and Bute Council to try and save Ronachan House, Clachan, from closure.
The decision to shut the house, which offers help to people with alcohol and drug addictions, was made last week by the Church of Scotland’s Board of Social Responsibility.
Following this announcement the council is pressing for a meeting with Church of Scotland representatives to try and stop the closure from going ahead.
The proposed closure was raised as a matter, of urgency by north Kintyre Councillor John MacAlpine and Campbeltown Councillor Alastair McKinlay, at a meeting of the council’s Strategic Policy Committee.
Councillor McKinlay said: ‘We must move quickly to discuss this matter with the church.
‘There is a recognised alcohol problem on the west coast of Scotland and we cannot support the closure of this long-standing and much-valued addictions service.
‘Following on the heels of last year’s closure of the health board drugs and alcohol support unit at Lochgilphead’s Argyll and Bute Hospital, the closing of Ronachan House would be disastrous. The many referrals in need of support would have no facilities like this in Argyll and Bute.’
Councillor McAlpine added: ‘The church has provided a valuable service at Ronachan House for many years.
‘Now, faced with its closure, we must think of the future of the 12 members of staff who are employed there, as well as the future of the people who benefit from their hard work and dedication.
‘There is no doubt, too, that closure would hit local businesses in an area of already fragile economy.’
Council Leader, Councillor Allan Macaskill agreed: ‘We worked closely on the church’s proposed closure of residential care home in Argyll and Bute last year.
‘I hope that we can find a way of working again to preserve this important service.’
Alan Reid, MP for Argyll and Bute, has also revealed his shock and surprise at the announcement to close the house. He said: ‘I am disappointed that this decision has been made as there is a lack of alternative provision, in the area for alcohol and drug addicts. I am also concerned that the potential closure of the unit was not widely publicised to allow consultation to take place.
‘I have written to the Church of Scotland’s director of social work asking why the decision to close Ronachan House was taken and if there is still any possibility of this decision being reversed.
‘I have also asked if the church has made any attempts to secure funding from the Scottish Executive, the health board and the council, which would allow Ronachan to remain open.’
FORTY YEARS AGO
Friday February 24, 1984
Bad news about the loos
Tarbert’s hopes of having new public toilets this year received a blow when the Environmental Health Committee at a meeting at Kilmory on Wednesday decided to postpone building until next year, for financial reasons.
Councillor Dan Johnson expressed his disappointment at the decision.
‘I received a letter from the Environmental Health Department last October,’ said the councillor, stating that building would commence in early January. I have therefore hoped that building would be completed in time for the Tomatin races and for the holiday season. The plans had been on view to the public, and had met with general approval.
‘The councillor added that the present toilets were substandard, and the cause of frequent complaints from tourists, yachtsman, and locals.
‘The matter has still to be placed before the District Council for discussion.’
Darts news
Duncan Johnstone (Tayinloan) became the winner of the Open Darts Competition held at the Galley of Lorne, Ardfern, last Saturday, and lifted the first prizes of £100 plus the cup
Meanwhile, this Sunday sees the visit of darts superstar, ranked number one in Scotland and number two in the world, Jocky Wilson to Campbeltown.
SIXTY YEARS AGO
Tuesday February 25, 1964
Scots Guards flying in on exercise
An exercise intended as an introduction to their role in the jungle will be carried out within the next week by men of the 1st Battalion, Scots Guards, presently stationed at Pirbright, Surrey.
As the start to the special ‘toughening-up’ Exercise more than 400 men and 20 vehicles will be airlifted on Thursday and Friday to Machrihanish, from where they will fan out in man-oeuvres to be staged in Central Scotland.
The battalion, which has been on leave for six weeks, is to leave for Malaysia in September and the exercise is intended as an introduction to their role in the jungle.
The guardsmen will make a forced march from Loch Lomond to the top of Glen Shira and will attempt to ‘blow up’ Shira hydro-electric dam in a guerrilla-type raid which will be opposed by Territorials of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
There will then be a secret rendezvous with a submarine which will evacuate some of the raiding party - the remainder hope to make a getaway on a tank-landing craft. The submarine will come from the naval base at Gare Loch.
Poultry Exhibits Do Well at Scottish Dairy Show
Two Mid Argyll poultry farmers enhanced their already growing reputation when at the Scottish Dairy Show held recently in Glasgow’s Kelvin Hall, they were prominent prize-winners with many of their poultry exhibits.
Alastair Graham, Kilchamaig Farm, Whitehouse, by Tarbert, gained first and fourth prizes with Brown Leghorn hens, and was awarded a second prize for a cross-bred likeliest layer, and a third award for a Black Leghorn bantam cock.
Alastair’s brother Duncan, who also entered his exhibits from Kilchamaig Farm, won fourth prizes with a Rhode Island bantam cock and a Black Wyandotte bantam cock.
With a Black Wyandotte bantam hen and a Scotch Grey bantam hen, Alastair was awarded fifth prizes.
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