Our District Nurses

From Jon Haylett

I don't know how many of you, staying on West Ardnmaurchan, have been taken ill during the night, ill enough to be frightened, and had one of these two lovely ladies attend, treat, and give help and support. I have, and I've blessed them for arriving so quickly.

Jessie Colquhoun and Carolyn Ellis live and work in this remote community. They are on-call for medical emergencies 24/7, whatever the time, whatever the weather. They know us, they know our weaknesses. They have given years of dedicated service for which we bless them.

That is to stop in February when Jessie retires. If the NHS has its way, in future, if you're taken seriously ill at night, no-one will come to your aid, not until the Strontian ambulance makes its way down the peninsula, taking 50 minutes minimum, or one of our two GPs arrive, and their timescale depends on where they are and whether they're available.

West Ardnamurchan Community Council has fought a campaign to preserve out District Nurse service. WACC believes it is the cheapest and most efficient way of providing the sort of quality emergency medical service everyone in Scotland expects. Other communities have their District Nurses - the island of Raasay is an example - or their own GPs - Eigg, Lochaline.

On Monday WACC meets with the NHS - in the form of its two branches, NHS Highland and the Scottish Ambulance Service - to discover what they plan for us. A public meeting follows at 8pm in the Community Centre. The BBC, the Press & Journal and other news media will be there - it's an open meeting. Whether you're a resident or a visitor, please come and help to decide how the community is to react to the NHS proposals.