Dave Thompson MSP

Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson has managed to secure an appointment with Nicola Sturgeon, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, for supporters of the Highland Rheumatology Unit to present their petition calling for the facility's future to be protected.

So far almost 5,000 have signed the "No Cuts to Highland Rheumatology Unit" petition and organisers believe they will be able to pass this milestone before meeting the minister.

"The Highland Rheumatology Unit provides an important level of care for hundreds of patients from all over the Highlands every year and I have supported this campaign to prevent any reduction in that service from the start," Mr Thompson (SNP) said.

"Already we have heard that NHS Highland had consultants draw up a secret plan last year to close the centre.

"They have already cut the number of beds by about a third and staff are starting to see signs that this is causing problems with the availability of space.

"In the past I have called not just for the unit to be protected at its existing size but for it to be enhanced so more are able to benefit from the specialist care and knowledge available from its highly trained and dedicated staff."

Following a meeting with campaigners last week, Mr Thompson agreed to use his connections to secure a meeting with Ms Sturgeon to allow the group to make their case direct.

As a result of this the minister will welcome several of the supporters to her rooms at Holyrood at 3pm on Wednesday February 24th where they will hand over the petition.

However patients representative Michelle Stevenson hopes to be able to organise transport to take a large group to Holyrood so they can publicly make their case on a national platform.

Notes:

The petition can be found online here.

Each year the unit offers treatment to approximately 900 patients.

In Dingwall they are offered education in self-care and intensive physiotherapy, while the neighbouring Puffin Pool allows for the provision of hydrotherapy treatments.