A meeting will be held on Wednesday the 12th at 7.30pm in Oban High's Assembly Hall to discuss the West Highland Health Services Project. This is part of a public consultation examining the future of health provision across the region.

Like every other region of the UK there is a general trend away from small local units to larger centralised ones. The believe is that these are cheaper to maintain and the concentration of expertise can provide a better service. However this can have serious implications in areas like ours.

A meeting has already been held in Fort William where discussion centred around  their local hospital and whether it's status should be downgraded to a "community" hospital. The same option is being explored for Oban's.

If it was to happen Oban hospital would lose its general surgeon, consultancies would no longer be held and there would be no possibility of it getting the hoped for dialysis unit.

It would mean more people having to travel long distances for routine appointments and even for the most basic surgery procedures.

Oban's hospital is less likely to suffer this fate because it is new compared to Fort William's but it could happen if people don't speak up.

Wednesday evening in Oban isn't the most convenient time for islanders, if you would like an issue raised or have a personal experience that you feel relevant please contact your local councillor.

Mull's Councillor Alistair MacDougal can be contacted on 01681 700294 (work), 01681 700271 (home) or preferably via email by clicking HERE. If your own councillor isn't able to attend please contact Alistair instead.

Richard Warwick, 2000friends.co.uk

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