People in Sutherland can share views on rural healthcare for Holyrood inquiry
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People are being asked to share their experience of "remote and rural healthcare" with a Holyrood committee.
The Scottish parliament's health, social care and sport committee is asking members of the public and staff to take part in the inquiry which is looking at key issues facing healthcare in areas like Sutherland.
They are keen to find out what specific challenges people in these areas face and what can be done to improve services in these places.
The committee pointed out that rural areas tend to have "specific demographic challenges" when it comes to demand for healthcare, with a lower proportion of people aged 16 to 44 but a higher proportion of people aged 45 and over, and particularly those 65 and above.
Launching the inquiry on Friday, MSP Clare Haughey, the committee's convener, said: “Scotland’s geography means much of its healthcare is accessed and delivered in remote and rural areas and that’s why the committee is keen to hear of the specific issues impacting healthcare services in these locales.
“We want to hear the experiences of individuals and representatives from remote and rural areas, and from those who work or have worked in remote and rural healthcare, on what they think the particular challenges facing the sector are.
“Our inquiry aims to provide a platform for the views of those in remote and rural areas to be heard and our committee is keen to hear from as wide a range of organisations and individuals as possible.
“Sharing your views will help the committee better understand the varied and particular issues facing rural and remote healthcare services and help our scrutiny of the Scottish Government and other key stakeholders in their approach to delivering healthcare in these areas.”
The committee’s call for views is open now and can be accessed at https://engage.parliament.scot/group/29190 and will close on August 11.
