Plans to refurbish and reconfigure Caithness General Hospital, in Wick, are expected to take a major step forward next month, with the appointment of a Principal Supply Chain Partner (PSCP) to carry out the design and construction work.
The multi-million pound project is just one element of a much wider programme of transformational change to redesign, modernise and improve health and social care services in Caithness.
NHS Highland issued a tender for the work in January via the NHS national framework and prospective contractors have since looked round the hospital on a fact-finding visit to gather information for their bids.
A closing date has been set, with interviews due to take place in March.
Diane Forsyth, Programme Manager at NHS Highland said: “This is another important milestone in the wide-ranging activity being carried out to modernise and improve health and social care services in Caithness.
“While we are working hard to provide the new and upgraded facilities needed, the main focus of our work is on the redesign of how we deliver health and social care services to communities throughout Caithness. Key components are the delivery of care locally and as close to home as possible, with a focus on preventative care and enabling people to be as independent as possible.”
The contract will be a joint one, also covering the design and building work for a planned new hospital in Fort William.
Read more about Caithness health and social care redesign.