Future of Raigmore Hospital to be decided
Masterplan provides options for refurbishment or new-build hospital for region
NHS Highland has pledged to upgrade Raigmore Hospital as a masterplan is created that could see a new facility built for the region.
Inverness’s rapidly-rising population and the poor standard of some of the existing buildings at Raigmore have prompted a review of healthcare facilities in the Inner Moray Firth area.
One of the options under consideration is a new £450m hospital on a greenfield site, while new GP surgeries in the south of the city are also expected to be built.
At a recent meeting of the health board, chairman, Garry Coutts, said a new hospital was just one of a number of options under consideration, but pledged to invest in the existing building to keep services running as normal.
He added: “We are absolutely committed to Raigmore and we will continue to make sure that we spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on the fabric to make sure that it is fit for purpose.”
The report discussed by the health board revealed that the least-expensive option of refurbishment will cost at least £280m.
A new-build would take 10 years to complete, while refurbishment work would involve construction work on the Raigmore campus for the next decade.
NHS Highland head of estates, Eric Green, told the board his team had been working on the masterplan for two years trying to identify solutions.
He said: “It is clear significant investment is needed in Raigmore’s building fabric if it is to continue to deliver healthcare for the next 20 years.
“The plan identifies five main options to carry forward, ranging from a brand new build on a greenfield site to maximum refurbishment of the existing with significant new build.
