A constituency candidate for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch has called for urgent action to return a Fort William woman to her home, describing her situation as a serious failure of care and decision making.

The case centres on Iona Grant, a young woman from Fort William who was moved more than 80 miles away to a care home in Nairn despite no significant change in her condition.

Following what was described as a routine hospital procedure, Iona had been discharged and remained at home for three weeks, supported by an existing care package.

The decision to move her came after concerns were raised by paid carers that her needs could no longer be met, although it is claimed those needs had not fundamentally changed.

Since then, Iona has spent more than seven months away from her home, her community and her support network.

The situation has been described by the candidate as going beyond administration and into questions of dignity, rights and how decisions are made around vulnerable individuals.

They said:

“But there are moments that go beyond politics.

“Moments where you realise something has gone badly wrong, not just administratively, but morally.”

“Iona is a young woman from Fort William.

“She is intelligent, articulate, and deeply connected to her family, her friends, and her community.

“Following what should have been a straightforward hospital procedure, she was discharged home and remained there for three weeks. Nothing material changed in her condition.

“And yet, she was removed from her adapted bungalow in Fort William and placed in a care home in Nairn, over 80 miles away.

“For over seven months, Iona has remained in that care facility.

“Seven months away from her home.

“Seven months away from her community.

“Seven months without her voice being properly heard.”

“I do not use this language lightly, but this represents one of the most serious breaches of dignity and disability rights I have encountered.”

The candidate said the case highlights concerns about how decisions are made for disabled people, particularly where their own voice may not be central to the process.

They said:

“Because at the heart of this is something simple: Iona’s voice was taken from her.

“In my campaign, I have been clear about one principle above all others: ‘No decisions about us, without us.

“Disabled people must never be sidelined in decisions that define their lives.

“Yet that is exactly what has happened here.”

A commitment has now been made to work with Iona, her family and local supporters to develop a personalised care package that would allow her to return home.

They said:

“Because this is not just about location, it is about dignity, it is about autonomy, it is about recognising that disabled people are not problems to be managed, but individuals with rights, voices, and lives rooted in community.

“Fort William is not just where Iona lives.

“It is where she belongs.”

The case raises wider questions about care provision, decision making and the balance between clinical judgement and individual rights.