Lifeline charity in Inverness suffers ‘devastating’ blow as they lose £35,000 from NHS funding
An Inverness-based charity supporting people with impaired mobility has been served a “devastating” blow by being told it will lose its annual £35,000 funding support from the NHS.
Shopmobility Highland, which has been providing mobility equipment to people visiting the Highland capital or Dingwall for the past 30 years, was told last month it won’t receive the vital funding after the health board received more requests for support than funds available.
The charity said it will now have to cut opening hours and staff from January while it seeks alternative support.
Manager Norman MacLeod believes the impact on those in need could be significant.
“Without us, these people would otherwise be stuck at home,” he said.
“There is not another service like ours in the Highlands. What we provide is a lifeline for so many.
“A lot of our new referrals are actually coming from Raigmore Hospital, where people are maybe discharged whether it be following hip replacements, a broken limb or for whatever reason unable to walk. But there is no facility, Raigmore Hospital can't provide mobility equipment for them.
”This week alone we had two terminally-ill, end-of-life care patients who required the use of a wheelchair because there was a long waiting list and they had nowhere else to go.
“Although our funding doesn't end until the end of March we can't just proceed with this uncertainty over us with the usual expenditure.”
From next year one member of staff will be made redundant, with a reduction in working hours for part-time staff.
Shopmobility in Inverness will also be closed on Mondays and will only be open three days a week in Dingwall.
“We hope that this will enable our reserves to carry us forward until we try and seek funding from elsewhere,” Mr MacLeod said.
In addition to the equipment provided in Inverness and Dingwall and the minibus service in both areas, Shopmobility also provides a number of mobility scooters and other equipment at big events in the area, such as the Black Isle Show and Moy Country Fair - however their attendance is now under threat.
Mr MacLeod explained: “Without such an important part of our funding which we received regularly, we really don’t know if we will be able to plan and cover the costs to deliver this service. And if we are unable to find alternative funding, we might have to reduce our stock. However, once that is gone, it would take a huge investment to bring it back.”
He said one of the regular service user burst into tears on being told about the cuts, and many others shared how important the service is for them.
The charity has been part-funded since the beginning, initially by Highland Council and since around 2011 by NHS Highland.
“Because prices have been going up, we did ask for a slight increase in our funding application for 2025 to 2027,” Mr MacLeod said. “However, not only did we not get that increase, we were told we're not getting any funding.
“That’s been pretty devastating.
“I fully accept and appreciate that the NHS is under strains that it's probably never been under before, but the reality is that if this service is lost, the burden is going to pass on to the NHS in a whole variety of different ways - not just in terms of demand for equipment but also the impact on mental health services.
“Although this is a really tough time, we don’t want to create too much anxiety among people using the service, and we are trying to be optimistic.
“We have had very positive conversations with Highland Council, who are very supportive - although they made it clear that they won’t be able to replace the NHS funding.
“We have been in contact with NHS Highland and they said that they will arrange a meeting.”
In a question to Highland Council’s leader Raymond Bremner at a full council meeting on Thursday, Inverness councillor Isabelle Mackenzie asked for the council to engage with Shopmobility Highland and NHS Highland “to explore solutions and ensure this invaluable service continues for years to come.”
She said: “Shopmobility Highland has provided a vital service for over 30 years, hiring out mobility equipment and offering transport for medical appointments, shopping, and social activities.
“These services promote independence, combat social isolation, and support individuals referred by NHS Highland after injury or illness, aiding recovery and avoid hospital ‘bed blocking.’
“With no comparable service in the Highlands, Shopmobility Highland is a lifeline for many.”
Mr Bremner replied: “While I recognise the service that Shopmobility Highland provides, I can advise that the funding NHS Highland has available is £1.5m and of that amount it was agreed that half would be allocated to the support of carers.
“The evaluation process required all applicants to be scored in terms of the overall strategic direction and Shopmobility were ultimately not successful.
“NHS Highland indicated that they had 60 applications for the living well/staying well fund with a value of requests at £5.7m against available funding of £1.5m.”
NHS Highland has been contacted for comment.
