Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, has asked NHS Highland to consider allowing the Lochaber community to use the Belhaven Ward for a drop-in centre or hospice.

The ambiguity surrounding the future of the Belhaven Ward in Fort William has met with concern from the local community and local MSP, Dave Thompson. Mr Thompson wrote to the Chair of NHS Highland, Garry Coutts, in response to a proposal from Crossroads Caring Scotland (Lochaber), to transform the Belhaven Ward into a respite care service. Crossroads, a service which provides respite to carers and care for individuals, has recognised that the provision of residential respite in Lochaber is far from adequate due to the lack of suitable local respite care facilities. The organisation proposes to use Belhaven to provide respite beds for carers who are in need of additional support, a re-ablement service to help rebuild clients’ confidence after an event or illness, end of life care for clients who have no carer available to support them adequately and rapid crisis intervention so that a proper medical or social assessment can be made before elderly people are admitted to hospital.

Mr Thompson said, “I stand with those in the community who are concerned about the future of the Belhaven ward, and that is the reason why I welcome Crossroads’ suggestions for the Belhaven Ward. I hope it is satisfactory to all relevant parties as they search for a solution to the Belhaven Ward.

“It is clearly evident that Crossroads provides a much-needed service in Lochaber, and the proposal to turn Belhaven into a respite centre is doubly welcome because it will take advantage of the excellent facilities at Belhaven while expanding Crossroads’ services so that more people can benefit.

“I sincerely hope that this proposal will meet with a positive response from NHS Highland and Highland Council, and will provide a way for both organisations to reach a consensus on the future of the Belhaven Ward which will mean that the building can be used in a cost effective way.”