Belford Hospital, Fort William

Over the years many paddlers from across Scotland and from further afield have received treatment at the Belford hospital in Fort William for injuries sustained while paddling. Located in the heart of some of the best white water and sea canoeing that the UK has to offer, this hospital has long been regarded as a valued resource by locals, tourists and the wider outdoor community.

The Belford Hospital is one of only 2 hospitals in Scotland that completely satisfy all the standards for acute trauma set by the Scottish Trauma Audit Group (STAG). These criteria relate to how quickly patients are seen by the trauma team. It offers a high level of A&E services and attracts staff with a particular interest in and specialist skills for treating outdoor sports related injuries.

There is however a major problem in Scotland with a shortage of consultants, especially generalists, and a need to recruit more staff to be compliant with the European Working hours directive. So the hospitals either increase their consultant numbers or whither and are staffed by less well trained and skilled GP's, who may be even more difficult to recruit.

The Health Board has been reviewing its future hospital provisions through the vehicle of the "West Highlands Health Project". Purportedly set up to address the problem of rural acute services, it is unfortunately so structured as to have a predictable down staging outcome. Two of the three options to be put to the Highland Health Board and on to the Health Minister propose that, the Belford will be downgraded to a "Community Hospital", with no resident consultants, with evening and night cover provided by specially trained G.P.’s, and staff doctors, whose availability is very uncertain.

Thus the Belford Hospital in Fort William could be downgraded to a local community hospital and not have permanent consultants on call for acute-trauma cases. Crucially to paddlers it will provide a much poorer A & E service for 2/3 of the time.

The local medical community (hospital & GP's) are determined that the downgrading of the hospital will not take place and have put forward an option which they believe is viable and sustainable. They now need the support of the outdoor sports community to ensure that a 24-hour, 7 day a week, consultant-led acute hospital is retained.

So please write to Caroline Thompson, Chair,Highland NHS Board, Assynt House, Beechwood Park, Inverness, IV2 3HG.

State that you are a paddler who visits Fort William and that you are concerned by the possible downgrading of the Belford Hospital. Ask that the "Lochaber Medical Community Option" is given full consideration and included in the Public Consultation process. Make it clear that you believe a 24-hour, 7 day a week, consultant-led acute hospital must be retained in Fort William.

Please also send copies to David Stewart MP (Labour) and Fergus Ewing MSP (Scottish National Party) fergusewing@supanet.com both of whom support retaining the services.

There is also an electronic petition which can be signed.

Full details can be found on the westhighlandhealth website.

Many thanks for taking the time to support this important service.