Rum Community Association

An email about the current use of a boat moored at the floating pontoon was sent to NHS feedback who put us in touch with Julie Stoddart, Senior Practice Manager for South Skye, Glenelg, Carbost & Small Isles Practices.  

Julie has given a timeline of activities for medical venues on Rum since 2018, details on that below.  We've had an initial chat and outlined some actions.

Summary of outcomes with Julie:

- An NHS car and all appointments at home visits is not a suitable solution.  Home visits are best retained for new baby/vulnerable patients.

- Farmhouse/Stable Bothy as a venue is not a suitable/immediate solution.

- A dedicated medical venue would be the best option for both patients and Healthcare Practioners.  Near the pier is the most functionally suitable place.  There are NHS funds to pay rent for a dedicated space, this is how Canna operates.

- RCA and Community could approach MOWI again for use of a room as an immediate solution.

- RCA and Community to explore porta cabins for use, explore funding for this and start a conversation with Highland Council over use of land at the pier.  Julie Stoddart will forward the business case from 2022 to help us navigate a potential portacabin.

Timeline of previous activities:

2018 - IRCT advise there will be a dedicated space created for medical care on the island, estimated to be ready in 2020.

2020 - MOWI were asked if a room in their bunkhouse could be used for medical appointments, MOWI were unable to provide this at that time.

2022 Jan - Stable bothy was proposed by the Rum community as a venue, Highland Council appear to not have agreed with this approach.

2022 Feb - Former Practice manager Fiona McKenzie drew up a business case for a porta cabin to be installed on Rum.  No suitable location for the cabin could be found at this time.

2022 onwards - The NHS car left at the pier for use by the doctor was not being looked after between visits, the car battery was often dead etc. on arrival. Healthcare practioners lost time having this fixed or relying on a local for transport.  They also found that some patients weren't home at the time of the appointment having a knock on effect for subsequent appointments.  Some healthcare staff felt vulnerable doing home visits.

I'm unsure of the times for this but subsequent to Sept 2022:

The Rum community were contacted by email about the venue moving to a doctors boat and the availability of home visits.

The Rum community were contacted by email about making trips to Mallaig or Eigg for appointments.  The community chose Mallaig but Mallaig was unable to offer appointments.

We'll keep you updated on developments, if you are a Rum resident please feel free to join the discussion below.