Confirmation of NHS Highland funding for Pre-Immediate Care and Trauma (PICT) team at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness is welcomed by Highlands and Islands MSP Edward Mountain
A trauma team providing specialist pre-hospital emergency care in the Highlands has been saved from funding cuts.
The Pre-Immediate Care and Trauma (PICT) team, based at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, attends the scenes of major trauma incidents providing advanced care and extends the capabilities of the Scottish Ambulance Service, for those at risk of losing their life and those who require urgent medical attention.
Earlier this year, it was under threat of having its service capabilities reduced from seven days per week to four days, following NHS Highland’s decision to withdraw funding.
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But it has been saved following a review by the health authority.
In March, NHS Highland extended the PICT team’s funding for an additional six months to ensure it could operate a seven-day-per-week service.
Highlands and Islands MSP Edward Mountain, who has campaigned for PICT, has now received correspondence from NHS Highland chief executive Pam Dudek saying it will be supported to be a seven-day service.
“It will be financed by a revenue investment of approximately £100,000 from NHS Highland,” she said.
“The service dovetails with the major trauma service, and the taskings come from the Scottish Ambulance Service.”
The news was welcomed by Mr Mountain who paid tribute to the “world-class” team.
“PICT forms an essential part of major trauma incident planning in the Highlands and the Scottish Regional Trauma Network,” he said.
“We couldn’t afford to downgrade its capabilities as the next closest service is based in Aberdeen.
“So I am pleased that common sense has prevailed and the campaign to save PICT has been successful.”
He visited the team at Raigmore where he met Dr Iain Craighead and on-duty team members Dr Adam Archibald and advanced practitioner Jo MacCulloch.
