Your health counts so please make your voice count, Highland Lib Dems say

The Highland Liberal Democrats have launched a wide-ranging survey on health services across the Highlands and are encouraging the public to participate and “make your voice count.”

The survey - which has been sent to every door across the Highlands - can be returned by freepost or completed online. It asks questions ranging from waiting times for surgery and at A&E, access to local dentists and GPs, to adult social care provision.

The Highland Liberal Democrats hope the lived experience that is shared with them will help spotlight issues, hold NHS Highland and the Scottish Government to account and shape NHS priorities so real improvements are delivered.

The intervention comes after the party revealed 60,000 people across the Highlands have waited more than four hours in A&E since the last time the Scottish Government's target was hit over four years ago.

The region has also seen an increasing number of concerns with women in the Far North facing round trips of 210 miles (338km) or more to give birth in Inverness to a deepening crisis in its vascular service that last year saw NHS Highland’s last vascular surgeon resign.

Meanwhile, a report published in 2024 by the Scottish Human Rights Commission’s (SHRC) concluded that the right to health in the Far North of Scotland was seriously inadequate with regards to accessibility and availability.

David Green, Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, said:

“Like folk across the Highlands, I’m tired of feeling our concerns are not being heard. We need action to protect and enhance access to local health services, not yet further hollowing out of resources that let both patients and NHS staff down.

“This survey is therefore your chance to share what’s really happening - whether that’s long waits in A&E, ambulance delays, struggles to see a GP or your experience of maternity services in the Far North.”

Cllr Andrew Baxter, Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, added:

“Highland residents have been let down time and again by SNP dithering and delay. That’s why we still don’t have the new Belford Hospital and why Portree is left without 24-hour emergency care — just smoke and mirrors instead of real services.

“It was only because of Liberal Democrat intervention at this year’s budget that funding for Belford was finally secured. And I know from my own family’s experience how much worse things have become: waiting lists for routine operations like cataracts now drag on for too long, and when appointments finally arrive patients are often forced to travel outside the Highlands for treatment.”

Neil Alexander, Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Inverness and Nairn, said:

“When I've been speaking to folk, too often I am told politicians don't listen enough. That must change.

“We know that staff at Raigmore do a brilliant job under immense pressure, but we want to hear your experiences and ideas on how we can improve our Highland health services for the better.

“Whether that's access to mental health services or getting an appointment with your GP – Highland Liberal Democrats are listening to you.”

ENDS.

Notes to editors:

Please find the survey here: highlandlibdems.org.uk/nhs-survey