Saving our social care services

Health & Wellbeing Hubs in Sutherland & Dunbeath are facing financial crisis due to over a decade of standstill contract funding from NHS Highland. They condemn the loss of care homes and independent community care service providers in Sutherland due to chronic underfunding.

Hubs United Group (HUG) members the Assynt Centre in Lochinver, the Bradbury Centre in Bonar Bridge, Brora Hub, Ceilidh House in Kinlochbervie, Kyle Centre in Tongue, and the Dunbeath Centre, are asking to be taken seriously as partners in providing care, and to be fully included in planning for the future. In 2023 the Health & Wellbeing Hubs contacted NHS Highland raising serious concerns about their sustainability. They are now concerned that progress is yet to be made, and warn that the loss of these services will have a devastating impact in our local area. The situation is further exacerbated by the poor performance of NHS Highland Golspie-based Care at Home service, with the Care Inspectorate serving an improvement notice citing several areas of concern, and the lack of progress in the North Coast Redesign project. 


Bradbury Centre Bonar Bridge Chairperson Alasdair Goskirk said: “Over decades the Bradbury Centre has grown to become one of the pivotal organisations at the heart of Creich and Kincardine. The services it provides are seen as critical in the community and enable older people locally to live independently, whilst also providing that much needed personal care and support. The management and staff are fully committed and work tirelessly to deliver a high-quality service to all who personally attend the Centre and for those who rely on it to care for their loved ones. 


“Like so many, they are doing so in a very difficult financial climate with rising costs throughout, which is exacerbated with NHS Highland and their lack of budget uplift over many years that goes towards paying for statutory services that the Bradbury Centre deliver on their behalf. 


The activities on Tuesday the 27th May at the Bradbury and other Centres in Sutherland and Caithness were to further highlight the value and service the Bradbury Centre offers for the community but also reach out and raise awareness of the financial situation with NHS Highland. All those connected to the Bradbury Centre thank you sincerely for all your support.” 


Andrea Madden, Chairperson of the Hubs United Group, said: “No more quick fixes. Enough is enough! We need a root and branch review of social care in Sutherland, actions not words.”


Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands Regional MSP, explained: “I continue to be concerned about the future of the Health and Wellbeing Hubs in the North of Scotland. For 10 years they have been going beyond expectations to deliver services to the vulnerable living in the area. Over a decade ago they stepped up to provide the care and support the public services were no longer able to.


“At the time NHS Highland and the Highland Council gave assurances that a partnership would be developed where the Hubs would be treated with dignity and respected as valuable contributors to the health and well-being aims of both organisations.


“Disappointingly, promises of adequate funding based on agreed contracts have not been forthcoming. We are now in the perilous situation where Hubs are drawing on their own cash reserves to keep services functioning. This is unacceptable.


“I met with both the NHS Highland and Highland Council Senior Management on the 19th May, seeking assurance that they are serious in addressing the current crisis. I also wanted to be shown they are serious in meeting urgently with the Health & Well Being Hubs and conclude their negotiations that will see the Hubs adequately resourced to meet the needs of the people of Sutherland and the North Coast. I am glad this meeting has now taken place but will keep a close eye on developments.”