The Scottish Government announced last month that funding for all NHS construction projects was to be paused for at least two years.
Despite this, work will continue on planning and implementing the redesign of health and social care services where we can do so along with ensuring that we are as ready as possible when work can commence on the new hospital.
It is essential that we build on the positive work that has been done across the redesign of health and social care services in Lochaber, according to NHS Highland’s Nurse Director Louise Bussell.
“It was hugely disappointing when we heard about capital funding being paused,” Louise said. “We understand the frustration that our communities and colleagues will feel as they have worked very hard on the project for a long time.
“We are determined that their efforts will not go to waste and we are working to get our plans for the new hospital in Lochaber to a stage where we can be ready when the funding becomes available. We are working on the final areas of the Outline Business Case, which is an essential part of Scottish Government processes for new capital projects.
“Balfour Beatty has supported us to deliver Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Stage 2, which means producing an initial Concept Design. All of this work is crucial and I want to offer my thanks to everyone involved for their continued support.
“The new hospital is one part of a significant redesign project, and we will continue to plan how we can develop joined up community and acute services in Lochaber. As with all elements of the redesign project, we will continue to engage with communities, organisations and our colleagues to help us understand how we make our services fit for both now and in the future.”
Dr Steve Gilbert, NHS Highland’s Clinical Lead in the Belford Hospital, highlighted that improvement work is high on the agenda within the existing hospital and that this will have a positive impact for patients and staff.
He said: “There can be no doubt that the latest news about capital funding has been very disappointing for staff working in the Belford Hospital and across health and social care in Lochaber.
“We will continue to develop the services within the existing hospital as much as we can so that we can meet the demands we face every day in delivering remote and rural healthcare.
“The Belford Hospital was the prototype for rural general hospitals in Scotland. It has been at the forefront of clinical innovation and we are determined this will continue. We have had the involvement of colleagues working throughout the hospital and in primary care, as well as regular engagement with the community stakeholders group, during the service redesign. The ideas we have shared through this process will be developed in the near future.
“The clinical redesign in the hospital, including inpatient rehabilitation and same day emergency care, are exciting projects and we are making good progress. We understand the frustrations of our patients and colleagues but the good work will continue in the Belford and across Lochaber.”
Read more about Lochaber health and social care redesign.