News round-up / Long service medals, patient travel office moves, MSP questions HIAL’s drone resilience
TWO local coastguard volunteers were recently recognised for their long and dedicated service.
James Anderson (known locally as Jimmy Tetley) has been presented with a 30-year bar to accompany his 20-year long service medal. Jimmy joined the HM Coastguard Whalsay rescue team in July 1986.
Dennis Johnson from the Baltasound coastguard rescue team, meanwhile, was presented a 20-year long service and good conduct medal in December. Dennis joined the coastguard volunteers in June 1998.
Senior coastal operations officer Dave Sweeney said: “It’s great to know we can rely on our experienced volunteers like Dennis and Jimmy.
“They and their teams provide the Shetland community with a reassurance that at any time night or day, in all weather conditions, they will respond to emergencies on the coastline and within their communities without fail.
“I would like to thank Dennis and Jimmy for their continued service within HM Coastguard Shetland.”
NHS Shetland says its patient travel office is temporarily moving to a different venue for two weeks from 21 January while building work is underway in its current office.
The service will remain at the Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick, but it will operate out of the audiology department which can be accessed through the building’s main entrance.
Patient travel manager Yvonne Graham said: “We appreciate this may cause some inconvenience during the time the building works are going on but they are necessary to improve the service offered to patients.”
During this time it is appreciated if people could contact the department by telephone where at all possible. The number is 01595 743305.
NORTH of Scotland list MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has pressed Sumburgh Airport operator Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) on whether it has plans in place to guard against drones being flown near to its runways.
London’s Gatwick Airport recently came to a standstill when drone sightings were reported.
Halcro Johnston has also questioned how aircraft safety can be prioritised under HIAL’s plans to centralise air traffic services in Inverness while using remote towers at airports like Sumburgh.
“I would like to see how safety from localised problems like drones incursions can be assured when HIAL’s plans to implement remote towers are put in place, without air traffic control staff in local airports,” the Highlands and Islands MSP said.
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