We cover an area in the Highlands which is larger than Belgium and we sometimes feel that issues which affect our older people have a very low profile compared to those in the central belt of Scotland.  We have therefore been actively trying to expand our membership in the more rural and remote areas of the Highlands and we are trying to set up local forum groups in these areas, with some success.

Issues we have taken on board in the past have included opposition to the proposed closure of residential homes, on that occasion over fifty of us lobbying Highland Councillors at a full council meeting.

We are, and have been campaigning for better chiropody services. Hardly a week goes past that I don’t receive a phone call fro some distressed elderly person who has just been told they no longer qualify for free chiropody.  Why is this happening in Highland?  It doesn’t seem to be happening elsewhere.

Concessionary travel has been on our agenda, better bus services in rural areas, the lack of NHS dentists, cold weather payments, the cost of long term care, water charges, standing charges, and so on.  We do not take on individual cases, only if they affect a community or other areas.

How do we make sure the voices of older people are heard?  I send out a Newsletter every month keeping our members up to date with what we as an organisation are trying to do.  We visit groups throughout Highland to find out what problems they may have in their area and take them on board.  We hold an open meeting twice a year as well as fundraising events.

On two occasions Sheila and I have been invited to attend the annual conference of Help the Aged in Dundee and their national conference in London, where we have given a presentation of the HSCN.

We have a management committee which meets monthly, and on occasions at the meeting we invite a speaker to come along and discuss with us matters which concern us, i.e. chiropody, NHS 24 etc.  We would welcome more older people to come and join with us, whether to come on to the management committee, especially if they have a particular expertise which can be of help, or just to become members.

We have also carried out a survey of the needs of the elderly in Highland with the assistance of the University of Teeside.  You can find further information on this in the Research section.

 

Molly Doyle

Secretary

HSCN