TEN YEARS AGO
Thursday December 19, 2013
Still no end in site to baby scan crisis
A baby scanning crisis at the Belford Hospital in Fort William is still no closer to being resolved, 18 months after it first emerged.
All pregnant women in Lochaber currently face gruelling round trips of up to 200 miles for obstetric scans at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness because their local hospital cannot recruit a specialist sonographer.
And NHS Highland has this week admitted that despite several attempts to fill the post the situation was unlikely to change in the foreseeable future.
The lack of progress in addressing the ‘dangerous’ and ‘unacceptable’ arrangement has
disappointed Lochaber’s local MSP and campaigners, who earlier this year launched a petition demanding the reinstatement of the antenatal scanning service at the Belford.
As we revealed in April, in response to mounting criticism from local people NHS Highland launched a fresh recruitment drive.
But in June, we exposed how the advert for a full-time radiographer/sonographer had
attracted just one applicant, who proved unsuitable for the role, which commands an
annual salary of up to £40,157.
An NHS Highland spokesperson said yesterday: ‘The situation regarding recruitment of a midwife sonographer continues to be pursued by NHS Highland; an advert went out last week for a full time post.
‘The existing sonography team in Raigmore continue to do a sterling job keeping the service going as per national requirements.
‘Belford has been unable to recruit a radiographer with obstetric scanning skills, there
is a national shortage of this post so this is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future.
‘As soon as staff in Raigmore have the capacity to introduce a visiting service it will be reinstated, although this is very much dependent on recruitment of course.’
TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO
Saturday December 19, 1998
Wheelers beat the cold for festive handicap
A good turnout of cyclists withstood Sunday’s bitterly cold weather to take part in this year’s Christmas handicap fun race organised by West Highland Wheelers.
After a last-minute change of location to Glen Nevis, 23 riders completed the course.
Starting at the aptly-named Braveheart Car Park, It wound its way up to above the lower falls – then took in some steep, slippery single track down to the road with a fast
blast to the finish back at the car park.
First rider home was Rhuri Watt, still retaining some of his summer form, closely followed by Jamie Cameron.
First lady home was Nessa Rodgers.
Other notable performances came from John Shirley, Kevin Macdonald, Stuart Gray and Dave Ford.
The junior race saw John MacLoughlin, Sandy Shirley and Sam Shirley make short work of the lower course.
First tandem to return was piloted by Robbie Chin and Ann Marie. Best fall of the day
went to Andy (Roots) Rodgers, and coldest hands to Crunchie (wish l’d brought my winter gloves) MacDonald.
Many thanks to Ann Marie and James for time-keeping.
SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO
Saturday December 18, 1948
Claggan housing site
The question of the Claggan site being used for permanent houses was fully discussed by the Fort William Town Council on Monday when the Town Clerk, Mr Dow, read a
memorandum prepared by the Provost on the meeting held in Inverness with the joint
Parliamentary Under Secretary for state regarding the allocation of Swedish timber
houses.
At the meeting, Fort William was allocated 14 of the houses, a condition being that the sites would be properly serviced by the end of March.
The Town Clerk pointed out that the Provost had stressed that Fort William had been one of the first Burghs ready with plans for post-war housing.
In Claggan they had already got a number of temporary houses, and in view of the measures the Aluminium Company were taking and were proposing to take to abate the nuisance which had previously condemned the site for permanent houses, the Provost had suggested that they might now be allowed to proceed with a permanent housing
scheme there.
These points were later confirmed by letter to St Andrews House.
In reply they had received a letter that after very careful consideration of the Claggan Site for permanent houses, the Department very much regretted that, with the information before them, they could not agree to the use of the site for permanent
houses.
The Clerk ended by stating that the Burgh Surveyor felt that the 14 houses could
be put on the Grange Road Site.
Bailie Carmichael, who presided at Monday’s meeting in the absence of Provost Cameron, said that while they were very glad to get the fourteen timber houses, they
also saw permanent houses being built in other parts of the County.
Again they found that there was something against the use of Claggan for permanent houses, of which the Council were unaware.
The Clerk pointed out the gravity of the situation, adding that the servicing of the Claggan houses had already cost the Burgh £670 per house, which was an astronomical figure for a temporary site.
After discussing this matter at length, it was felt that the urgent matter was the preparation for the 14 Swedish houses and it was decided that Messrs Gratton and MacLean, Architects, should be approached to survey the Grange Road site with the
Burgh Surveyor immediately, and report back to a meeting of the Council to be held
on Friday night.
ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO
Saturday December 22, 1923
A strange find
Sir, —The above is a photograph of a fish of 5lbs. weight caught in Loch Arkaig some time ago by a Liverpool gentleman.
On being cut up it was found to have a common white-handled table knife in its inside, as seen on photograph. It must be rather uncommon to find such a weapon inside a trout.
Did the knife drop from some boat, and, when sinking in a spinning or rather wriggling manner, was it taken by the trout?
It would be interesting to have some anglers’ views.
I am etc
JM
Fort William news
The Fyn a three-masted schooner from Norway has again returned to Fort William with a cargo of barley for the distilleries, and is attracting a measure of attention on the part of the townspeople.
Wind-jammers of this rig are now rarely seen in these waters, although we have still amongst us old salts who pin their faith in the sail rather than in steam or oil.
Bowling Club debt
For some time back the Bowling Club has been somewhat handicapped by a financial debit, and with a view to discuss the best method of liquidating this at a meeting of
the Committee was held on Wednesday evening.
After a full expression of opinion, it was arranged to hold a whist drive and dance next month, and a relative committee to carry out the proposal was nominated.