Speaking after debate in Holyrood, following the latest outbreak of C-Diff in Dundee, Mrs Grant said:

“Guidelines on prevention need to be crystal clear.

“The current advice on the Scottish Government’s website don’t give the levels of help needed.

“Under the questions and answers section, when asked “What can I do to avoid contracting an infection?”, the answer starts off well enough “The most important thing you can do is to wash and dry your hands” however this is followed with “(or use alcohol gel if provided)”.

“The advice clearly implies that using an alcohol gel is an adequate substitute for washing your hands.

“It is not.

“C Diff is not killed by alcohol gel, only soap and water.”

Mrs Grant added: “Our hospitals have a profusion of bottles of alcohol gels, giving a false sense of security and this is backed up by misleading information on the Government’s own website.

“The only way we can deal with Healthcare Associated Infections is to wash our hands when arriving, leaving and between visits to different patients.

“We should only be using hand gels provided for additional protection against MRSA.

“Until this message is common knowledge hospital staff are fighting a losing battle.”

27 November 2009

Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands regional Labour MSP, is joining moves to keep Mid Argyll Community Pool open.

The facility is under threat of closure due to financial shortfall.

Mrs Grant said: “It is vital that services like this are maintained within communities and I am delighted to be able to support Jamie McGrigor’s motion acknowledging this threat.

“During the current climate, we are seeing businesses facing economic challenges, but the threat facing the Mid Argyll Community Pool will impact on the whole community.

“It is the facility’s users who will lose out completely if it closes, as the nearest pools are in Oban, Rothesay, Dunoon or Campbeltown.

“Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case.

“Earlier this year, I wrote to the Scottish Government asking that swimming pools that were registered charities be exempt from water rates – in light of this development I will be urging them to reconsider.

“These services need to be supported.

The motion that Rhoda is supporting reads : That the Parliament notes with concern the threat of closure facing the Mid Argyll Swimming Pool in Lochgilphead due to a financial shortfall; believes that this community-owned social enterprise, owned and operated by Mid Argyll Community Enterprise Ltd, plays a vital role in providing the communities of Lochgilphead and Mid Argyll with a first-class public swimming pool and all the associated benefits to mental and physical health that come from the activity of swimming; considers that the pool is well used by pupils from many local primary schools and by local recreation clubs and many of the tourists and visitors who come to Mid Argyll; notes further that the new Lochgilphead High School does not have a swimming pool and that closure of this pool would mean that the nearest public swimming pools were many miles away in Oban, Rothesay, Dunoon or Campbeltown; is aware that the funding shortfall facing the pool amounts to around £10,000 in this financial year and £30,000 in subsequent years, and believes that all available funding options should be explored in order to secure the future of this well-used and much-loved community asset.

02 September 2009

Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands regional Labour MSP, is urging the Scottish Government and Cal Mac to look again at ferry capacity and timetables.

It comes after revelations that more camper vans than ever are travelling to and from the Western Isles.

Mrs Grant said: “There is a real concern about the lack of capacity on all the routes to the Western Isles.

“I have been told of numerous occasions when people living in Stornoway and Castlebay who need to journey to the mainland at short notice and cannot get a car onto the ferry.

“The RET pilot has increased the number of visitors using the service but this has disadvantaged for local people.

“A certain number of vehicle places should be held back for late release in order to allow locals, who rely on ferries to get to the mainland, to be able to access services at short notice for family or work requirements. “

Mrs Grant added: “We’re clearly seeing how popular these particular routes are proving with passengers, and along with the increased number of tourists, it makes sense for the Scottish Government and Cal Mac to look again at their routes and timetables.

“More frequent and better services make sense both for the tourists visiting the isles but also those locals who see the routes as a vital lifeline.”

09 July 2009

Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands Regional Labour MSP, is thanking people on the Isle of Skye for their feed back on Skye Health Services.

Most respondents voice their concerns about the impact of potential widespread service cuts, not just bed closures.
Mrs Grant said: “Having attended the meeting with NHS Highland at the Skye Gathering Hall I am aware of the tremendous concern that exists among the people of Skye.

“These worries are reflected in the response to our questionnaire.

“Almost two hundred have been returned, which is a 20% response rate and feedback is still arriving daily at my constituency office.

Mrs Grant added: “Most people have indicated they want to be involved in any NHS consultations and most agreed that there should be two hospitals on the isle.

“People on Skye have a clear idea of what they want from their health services.

“The information we have collated so far will be passed onto NHS Highland and it is vital that they take note of what the people using their services want.”

The questionnaire can be downloaded at :

http://www.handimsps.org.uk/skyeservices.pdf

22 June 2009

Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands regional Labour MSP, is calling on Royal Mail to instate a full postal service at their Applecross branch in Wester Ross.
The group recently informed MSPs that the branch will close temporarily in June following the resignation of its subpostmaster.
It is currently opened 17 hours a week, which local community groups believe will reduced to ten.
Mrs Grant said: “The limited hours that are already on offer to residents mean that it is already difficult for people to access services.
“Post Offices provide vital services for those living in remote and rural communities
“These services should be retained, not reduced, especially in areas where there is an elderly population.
“The Applecross community are understandably upset by the prospect of fewer trading hours at the branch as they are 19 miles away from the nearest bank of cash machine.”
Mrs Grant added: “The local community council have raised their concerns over the Post Office’ lack of communication with them during recent months.
“They also highlighted those within the community, who would be interested in taking over the running of the service, are being put off by the ten hour working week.
“I have contacted the Post Office, and I am hopeful that the post office will see sense and do their best to keep this vital service within Applecross.”

17 June 2009

Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands regional Labour MSP is congratulating everyone who took part in this years National Samaritan Walk.

116 people walked between 16 and 29 miles to raise money for their local branches.

Mrs Grant said: “The walk was a tremendous success, with £5,000 being raised by the Inverness branch of Samaritans, who also helped organise the event.

“It also brought together groups of people from across the UK and Ireland.

“The Highland Hotel and Inchbrae Lodge need to also be congratulated as they donated free accommodation to the walkers who took part.”

Mrs Grant added: “The Samaritans are vital for supporting people who need emotional support, at all times in their lives and it is important that their work and their efforts are recognised.”

Rhoda Grant’s parliamentary motion :
That the Parliament congratulates the 116 walkers from across the United Kingdom and Ireland who took part in the 2009 National Samaritan Walk in Strathpeffer, Ross-shire, on Saturday 13 June 2009 who walked between 16 and 29 miles to raise funds for their local Samaritan Branches; notes that approximately £5,000 was raised for the Inverness Branch who also organised this event; further notes that the North British Hotels Trust, along with other local businesses including the Highland Hotel and the Inchbrae Lodge, donated free accommodation to the walkers, and commends the work of the Samaritans who provide confidential non-judgemental emotional support 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair

16 June 2009

Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands regional Labour MSP, has voiced her concerns over the threat of closure of the Polytunnel Garden on Barra.
The issue was brought to her attention by a constituent on the isle.
Mrs Grant said: “there seems to be an issue with regard to the funding of this particular horticultural project, and there are now question marks over it’s future.
“The Polytunnel had previously been funded with European Union cash, but that now appears to have run out.
“This would have very damaging long term effects on the vulnerable members of the community who are helped by the project.
Mrs Grant added: “I have written to the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar about the issue.
“There could be other funding options available to keep this vital service up and running and it is important that all options are fully explored.”

5 June 2009

Roda Grant, Highlands and Islands regional MSP, is one of many women who took to the streets of Inverness earlier this month as part of the second Bra Nicht Moonlight Walk.
The event started last year as a fundraiser, generating £14,000.
Mrs Grant said: “I was delighted to take part in the second Bra Nicht Moonlight Walk. It is a fantastic event, raising money for local groups.
“Last year, £14,000 was generated.
“Half of that was donated to Highland Breast Cancer Care, with the rest going to Macmillan Cancer Support and Citizens Advice Bureau.
“These services provide vital help to people and their families who are living with cancer and its effects.
Mrs Grant added: “I have tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament, acknowledging the success of last years event and also congratulating those who are taking part this year to help those in need.”
Louise Innes, one of the Bra Nicht Moonlight Walk’s organisers, said: “We hoped to build on the success of last year when 210 people took part in the walk.
“e aimed to get 1000 people involved this year, and 1050 have already registered which is truly fantastic.
“We are delighted at the support we have received and already planed to make the event bigger and better in the future.
“This year there are a few surprises in store at the beginning, during the walk and also at the finishing line to make sure that the women have a really enjoyable night while supporting a very worthwhile cause.
“The support we have received from local businesses and people like Rhoda is invaluable and the more people we have backing us in future the better.”

Rhoda Grant’s motion tabled in the Scottish Parliament

That the Parliament welcomes the Bra Nicht Moonlight Walk which is taking place in Inverness on Saturday 6th June 2009 to raise awareness of and money for breast cancer in the Highlands; notes that the inaugural walk last year raised £14,000 of which £7,000 was donated to the Highland Breast Care Association for the benefit of those with breast cancer and £7,000 to Macmillan Cancer Support who, along with Citizens Advice, provide support to people with cancer who are experiencing financial difficulties as a result of their illness; and congratulates all those participating in the moonlight walk to help raise awareness of and raise money for breast cancer.

09 June 2009

Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands regional Labour MSP, is urging the people of Skye to voice their opinions about future of health service delivery in Skye.

Last month, NHS Highland cut the number of beds available in Skye Hospitals in order to save money, a move which has been criticised by many locals.

The health board also intimated that they intend to look at the future delivery of health services in Skye.

Mrs Grant said:” People are wary of this process given their views were not sought on the bed cuts.

“Peter Peacock, David Stewart and I are getting in touch with people across Skye to hear their views.

“They have raised plenty of concerns that their views were not being heard, and any consultation which will affect people so dramatically needs to be inclusive.

“We are urging anyone who has any views to get in touch with our office.

“They can complete a questionnaire which is available on our website, http://www.handimsps.org.uk/skyeservices.pdf , we will then pass these views to NHS Highland.

Mrs Grant added: “I am glad the health board appear to be getting the message from people and have cancelled a workshop that was due to be held this month.

“They will now have to look at how they can take the views of the community on the services they wish to see before consulting on any proposals.”

03 June 2009

This week has been dominated by health issues.
I met with representatives of NHS Highland recently and they gave me information on the C diff outbreak at Caithness General Hospital and how they had dealt with it.
This is a terrible infection that only really hits those who are already in poor health.
It is highly infectious, which is why people should be isolated and barrier nursing methods put in place.
Visitors to patients need to be very aware of the action they should take.
The alcohol gels available at the hospital do not kill C diff – people need to wash their hands with soap and water.
This is especially crucial for people visiting more than one person at the hospital.
At parliament we debated swine flu.
The outbreak appears to be limited and those affected have only had mild symptoms – this is apart from the man in Glasgow who had previous complex health problems.
We can only hope that this the extent of the outbreak, but the professionals appear to be concerned that it may return in the autumn or winter and prove to be much worse.
We hope for the best and plan for the worst.
I spoke about the need to make sure that rural areas had adequate resources.
The Government information suggests everyone have flu buddies but this is not always feasible in remote areas where it’s not just a quick jog down the street to pick up medicines and supplies.
Health service workers are also more thinly spread in rural areas and we need to have contingencies in place to make sure that there is adequate cover should they be affected.
This is also the case with frontline workers throughout our services.
Home carers have a crucial role to play, however very little has been said about information and support to them.
I flagged it up as a real issue.
They are often forgotten but provide frontline services to our most vulnerable and need to be valued and protected in that role.

This article first appeared in the John O’Groats Journal and Caithness Courier