Skye diabetes patients referred to Inverness after GP cuts
NHS Highland has reassured residents of Skye that they will not have to make the seven hour round-trip to Inverness after cuts at Portree Medical Centre.
Diabetes patients from Skye receiving Enhanced Services used to get treatment at the GP in Portree. Now they have been referred to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness as Portree Medical Centre’s contract was withdrawn.
Multiple other Highland GP services also saw their contracts culled in yet another push towards centralisation.
Letters from Portree Medical Centre were received by hundreds of patients on the island two weeks ago informing them of the bad news, saying that the health board had offered no alternatives.
The letter stated that "most - if not all - aspects of your diabetes care" would now be the responsibility of Raigmore, sparking fears that regular checkups would need to be completed in the Highland Capital.
But NHS Highland has revealed that Raigmore’s team will be providing outreach clinics on Skye and other affected areas. Care which does not require face-to-face contact, will now be received over the phone.
It is only specialist hospital-based care for which diabetics will now need to travel to Raigmore.
She said: "I am fortunate to be able to drive, but there are very many diabetic patients who don’t have access to a car and who will have to rely on public transport. This is particularly concerning for the isolated, elderly and disabled."
"When bureaucrats are making decisions, it is ultimately the patient and the burned-out staff who suffer."
An NHS Highland spokesperson said: "All GP practices across Highland continue to provide core diabetes care, including annual reviews covering blood pressure, blood tests, foot checks and medication reviews.
"Some GP practices previously offered an additional enhanced diabetes service providing more frequent reviews. This service was reviewed through routine governance processes and an updated enhanced service was offered. Some practices chose to continue providing this additional level of care, while others did not.
"Patients who require specialist diabetes input continue to be supported by Diabetes Specialist Nurses and doctors, including clinics held on Skye.
"While enhanced services are co‑ordinated from Raigmore Hospital, care requiring face‑to‑face contact is provided locally, with follow‑up usually by telephone or Near Me.
"Patients would not be expected to travel to Raigmore unless specialist hospital‑based care was clinically required."
Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic illness in Scotland, affecting more than 360,000 people nationwide and 21,000 in the Highlands.
When left unchecked there are dire consequences such as blindness, heart attacks and loss of limbs through amputation.
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