Dave Thompson MSP

Part of my job is to be an effective link between the communities I represent and the Scottish Government. This month that is exactly what happened when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure listened and promised to provide, protect and improve two vital services for people on the west coast.

On 23 February the good people of West Ardnamurchan, led by Rosie Curtis, descended on the Scottish Parliament. Arriving by mini bus, they were laden with banners which read ‘SOS: Save our Services’. I was able to chat to them outside the Parliament before we met Nicola Sturgeon, Cabinet Secretary for Health, to discuss nursing provision.

The issue at stake is, of course, how to replace West Ardnamurchan’s brilliant nurse, Jessie Colquhoun. The problem was a consultation process which left a lot to be desired.

It is an issue I have been involved in for 14 months. The meeting with Ms Sturgeon was the culmination of a long cross-party process. While we still have some way to go before everything is in place, we’ve come a long way.

After a lengthy time on any issue, it is great to see results. Every day I receive letters and phone calls asking me to lend my support to a cause or a campaign. It is a privilege to be able to do so. But it is even better when positive outcomes are realised. I like to think that I am a man who gets things done, and working alongside committed campaigners like the West Ardnamurchan folk, I feel we have made a difference.

Which brings to me the subject of ferry services. Recently I met with Alex Neil, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, to discuss west coast ferry services. A number of concerns had been expressed to me about the Mallaig/Armadale ferry and a packed meeting in Mallaig a month ago confirmed them. Mr Neil guaranteed no reduction in this service which is very welcome.

The next issue discussed brought us back to Ardnamurchan. A number of concerned people had been in touch about the Kilchoan/Tobermory car ferry service. At my meeting with Mr Neil, I informed him of the importance of the ferry for veterinary, building and tourism services. Mr Neil promised to listen to any concerns and offered to arrange for Keith Brown, Transport Minister, to visit West Ardnamurchan to speak to local people and see things for himself. Mr Brown is also keen to meet with the people of Rum, Eigg, Muck and Canna before any decisions are made.

These things confirmed that the Scottish Government is serious about listening to local communities which sometimes seem to drift off the Westminster Government’s radar, but this month the Scottish Government showed that it won’t let that happen.

Recently, I wrote to the NHS about emergency neonatal transport which I thought might risk babies’ lives following an incident last month when one couple in Lochaber had to wait nine hours before their baby was taken to Raigmore. It has since emerged that one infant did die shortly after a transfer and an investigation is on-going into that.

Nobody’s life should be in danger simply because of where they live. The transport services travel from Dundee or Aberdeen and thereafter to Raigmore, which leaves a baby waiting between three and nine hours. I find that unacceptable and I have written to the NHS pressing them to rethink its transport arrangements to ensure the safest possible transfer of sick babies.