Highland protest group to keep Chair despite criticism

On Thursday 30 August, the CHAT group held a meeting and voted unanimously in favour of Bill Fernie remaining as their Chair.

Founding member Nicola Sinclair resigned from the group on Thursday 30 August 2018 claiming the 'militant and devisive attitude' was the reason behind her decision.

The Wick and East Caithness Councillor disagreed with CHAT criticising the preferred location for a Care Hub in Wick being advertised by NHS Highland despite being involved in the initial consultation process.

The preferred location was narrowly chosen during stakeholder consultation meetings where CHAT was closely included.

Public consultations had yet to take place and Nicola Sinclair felt the group was misleading public opinion with the criticism after the Chair of the group spoke to the press.

Thurso GP Alison Brooks told MFR News about the future of the group, she said: 'If CHAT had some people who really wanted to work with NHS Highland and the people in the area then things could more forward.

'But if they have the sort of militant stance that their Chair has at the moment, then the group will not survive.

'The whole thing has been thoroughly disappointing. It was such an opportunity for Caithness. These two Care Hubs are so exciting, they were looking at a £30 million investment and the area stands to lose that.

'The options that were chosen and were in the majority and were chosen for very good reasons. He's giving a different story and I think the problem is that it is coming across in an aggressive way.

'It's giving the impressive that the process is flawed and there was an agenda but nothing could be further from the truth.

'I don't think the representation that he is putting forward is accurate, and I actually question whether his representation is actually of CHAT or his own personal agenda.'

CHAT Chair Bill Fernie declined an interview with MFR.