Skye, Lochalsh and Wester Ross health and social care redesign

Urgent care provision on Skye - updates

November 2024

At the most recent Sir Lewis Steering Group on 30 October 2024, NHS Highland advised that the Urgent Care Model for north Skye fully came into place on 2 October 2024. We are closely monitoring the data to gain a good understanding of how and when people are accessing the service. The presentation document Sir Lewis Ritchie Recommendations - Urgent Care Model (October 2024) (pdf) gives a picture of people accessing services at Portree Hospital and at home to date.

We expect this to grow as people get more familiar with the service and know there will be variability throughout the year. This information will assist with discussions within the newly reformed Urgent Care group with community membership as we evaluate the service going forward.

The final page of the presentation document shows the leaflet we will shortly be sharing across the community in order to ensure people access the right service, in the right place and at the right time.

September 2024

NHS Highland shared a plan with the Scottish Government in May which outlined a proposed model of urgent care for north Skye, in line with the Sir Lewis Ritchie recommendations. Following Scottish Government approval of the plan, we have now met with a range of stakeholders and partner organisations.

Feedback from these meetings is currently being considered and we will be making adjustments to ensure that we have the right provision and resource is in place to achieve a sustainable service.

The new model for 24/7 urgent care access started on 16 August 2024.

The public will continue to be asked to access urgent care 24 hours a day via the NHS24 111 service to schedule a response. Appointments may be in Broadford Hospital or Portree Hospital depending on the level of need, may be by video-link to Broadford from Portree, or provided at home.

Access by appointment is strongly encouraged in line with national policy and will ensure that people get to the right place at the right time and there is no unnecessary delay should emergency care be required. Staff will though be available to respond to anyone who arrives at Portree Hospital without arranging an appointment.

The route for emergency care will continue to be Scottish Ambulance Service by calling 999 with Broadford the NHS Highland route for emergency access.