YOUR VIEWS: Elderly folk and their families being let down by NHS Highland on care provision

I’m writing with a heavy heart about something that’s been weighing on my mind lately: the care of our elderly residents.

With winter fast approaching, I’m increasingly worried about the situation here in our community.

The recent closure of The Glen Centre has left a huge void.

Many of our seniors relied on The Glen not just for care but for companionship and a bit of normalcy in their lives.

Without it, I can’t help but feel that they’re missing out on a crucial support system just when they need it the most.

It is believed that those who attended the centre have been offered visits to Kingussie and Grantown – but does this seem fair when there is a much-loved facility on their doorstep?

To make matters worse, we’re facing a major shortage of NHS home carers in our area. This shortage has forced many families into a difficult position where they have no choice but to seek out care homes for their loved ones.

However, with the lack of available care home spaces nearby, families are having to place their elderly relatives in facilities that are miles away. This not only adds to the emotional strain but also creates practical challenges for family visits and ongoing support.

It’s disheartening to see that despite these growing needs, there doesn’t seem to be a swift plan in place to address the lack of care options. Our elderly have given so much throughout their lives; it feels like we’re letting them down when they need us the most.

Our seniors deserve better, and it’s up to us to make sure they receive the care and respect they’ve earned.

Kay Mcdonald

Aviemore.

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Sea of Saltires to mark the Independence Referendum a decade on

The 18th September 2024 was a brilliant day, on every level, as dozens of blue and white Saltires surrounded the ancient stronghold of Ruthven Barracks by Kingussie.

With a great turnout, frae a’ the airts, the YES campaign celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Scottish referendum, when Scotland was cheated out of independence by the false ‘Vow’ - remain in the UK and you will remain in Europe.

Regardless of present SNP troubles the Indy vote is still around 50/50.

With hope in our hearts and renewed courage and confidence in our rich well endowed country, unity of purpose will achieve independence.

I earnestly believe that all the diverse and independent countries of the British Isles will become inter-dependent on each other within the European family of nations.

Grant Frazer

Cruachan

Newtonmore.

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Use contraflow to keep curcial bridge open

I was diverted at North Kessock junction on the A9 at 8am on Saturday (September 21). It took me 90 minutes to reach Inverness’s Longman roundabout.

There was a queue from Muir of Ord all the way to Clachnaharry Railway Bridge. I supervised the construction of two gates in the central reservation either side of the Kessock Bridge for resurfacing 14 years ago.

This meant a contraflow could be enacted by BEAR Scotland. Why don't the police just close the northbound carriageway only during such incidents and keep traffic moving on a contraflow.

The gates just need swept.Temporary signs could be installed for 30mph maximum speed limit during contraflow.

Jim Russell

Rosemarkie.

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Glasgow is game to be the fall guy

The chattering classes in the UK, Scotland and Glasgow have hailed that the Commonwealth Games are coming to Glasgow in 2026.

The taxpayers in the UK and Scotland are not so sure since, despite warm denials, they know that they will end up paying for cost overruns.

The Australian state of Victoria paid compensation of £100 million to be allowed to back out.

With no other nation willing to take on the financial risk, Glasgow appears to be the fall guy.

Clark Cross

Linlithgow.

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Do not fall for Tory hypocrisy in row over winter fuel payments

The hypocrisy of the Tory party laying into the Labour ministers voting for the abolition of the winter fuel payment, seems to know no bounds, after all, it was the the Conservative Party in 1980 who broke the state pensions link with male average earnings, thus minimising the state pension at a stroke.

It should not be forgotten, that prior to the General Election, the Conservatives were also floating the idea of raising the retirement age to 75.

We in WakeUp Britain!, have been championing for some years, the introduction of a genuinely fair reasonable liveable state pension for all, from a more achievable retirement age of 60.

It's so necessary for all and shouldn't involve any strings or bogus credit system, like a National Insurance payment record.

This is the reference for our most recent petition, closed by the previous administration, calling for a fair state pension: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/654389.

The winter fuel payment, was never more than a sticking plaster cure for a larger problem.

It's another vile insult to the people of this country by the current pseudo-Tory government and leaves a bad taste in the mouth, after years of the worst, from the previous right-wing true blue Tories, just when you could almost believe ‘things can only get better’.

The bigger crime, however, is that the winter fuel payment is a feeble token allowance, that should never have been necessary in the first place.

The huge levels of inequality in this rotten country should be no great surprise, made vastly worse by so many years of slow destruction of what should be a basic human right, that of a decent state pension free from any kind of benefits means tested or otherwise.

We want to assure readers, whether they have previously signed our petition or not, that we will be back with a very similar updated petition, as soon as this lacklustre parliament assembles a petitions committee, in order for the government petitions site to open again.

We ask your readers to please keep an eye out for our petitions in the future.

Wakeup Britain! (wakeupbritain2021@gmail.com)

Angela Templeton, Karen Burns, Dave Fabian, Denver Johnson and Michael Thompson.

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Cancer research work is lifesaving

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is fast-approaching (October), which means the return of wear it pink - Breast Cancer Now’s biggest and brightest fundraising event on Friday 18 October.

Every 10 minutes, someone in the UK hears the words ‘you have breast cancer’.

Sadly, this happened to my eldest sister Tracey. When she died in 2016, the news rippled through the family – shaking us all. Little did we know this was just the beginning of the long shadow breast cancer would cast over us.

In October 2020, I received my own diagnosis. Telling my younger sister Nikki was harder than I ever imagined.

But when Nikki revealed months later that she’d also been diagnosed with breast cancer, I couldn’t believe it. Three sisters in one family.

While Tracey hadn’t lived to see my diagnosis, I was here to see Nikki’s – and I was determined to support her through this.

Together we have come out the other side. Although we were both tested for the BRCA gene, it came back negative. The hospital told us that there probably was a genetic connection, but more research was needed to establish one.

This is why I’m calling on everyone to wear pink and raise money this October to help fund a life-saving research breakthrough that could help families like mine.

Support is just as vital. By wearing pink, you can help someone get reliable information and support when they need it most.

Or drive forward vital campaigning, to make sure everyone living with breast cancer gets the best possible treatment and care.

However you decide to fundraise, you will be helping Breast Cancer Now to continue its world-class research and vital support.

So, on Friday 18 October, wear it pink, raise money and help create a future where everyone diagnosed with breast cancer lives, and is supported to live well. Sign up at wearitpink.org/SignUp

Michelle Blackburn

Ibex House

42-47 Minories

London.

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