The new Belford Rural General Hospital in Fort William will have a fuller range of services than the current facility, a monthly meeting of the Lochaber Health and Social Care Redesign Stakeholders’ Group has been told.
Chaired by Louise Bussell, Chief Officer (Health and Social Care Partnership) with NHS Highland, the online meeting was attended by more than 20 people, including community stakeholders, as well as Highland Councillors John Grafton and Thomas MacLennan.
The meeting heard about the current picture and future planning for community services from Ross MacKenzie, Area Manager. This work is a core part the redesign of health and social care service across Lochaber as plans for the new hospital continue to be developed.
Introducing a presentation on services to be provided in the new Belford, Mike Hayward, NHS Highland’s Deputy Chief Officer (Acute Services) which includes Rural General Hospitals, said: “We are committed to building the highest standard of modern hospital we can here.
“It will be a full spec rural general hospital, with a fuller range of services than at present.
“This will be an upgrade, with consultant-led services, working with other professionals as necessary.”
Retired surgeon David Sedgwick, a member of the Stakeholders’ Group welcomed Mr Hayward’s comments, saying: “These are the essential reassurances we need to hear.”
After the presentation, Michael Foxley, a retired GP and a community representative on the group, said: “This is the greatest detail that have had in the past seven years, but we need to press on with some urgency to fully develop the service plan.”
In response to a question from Flora McKee, of Voluntary Action Lochaber, on Highland Hospice’s involvement in providing palliative care, Mr Hayward said: “We are certainly working with partners on what will be provided in the new hospital and we will give more detail at a future meeting.”
Speaking later in the meeting, NHS Highland Senior Project Manager Heather Cameron confirmed that she was on track with producing the tender documents that would lead to the appointment of the Principal Supply Chain Partners (design team and lead contractor) in March.
Welcoming this confirmation, Patricia Jordan, Secretary of Fort William, Inverlochy and Torlundy Community Council and a community nominee to the NHS Highland Project Team, said: “This is a crucial appointment and we need to meet the appointment deadline to get the design underway and the OBC completed as soon as possible.”
Read more about Lochaber health and social care redesign.