The Scottish Government is being pressed to restart major health projects in the Highlands with a two-year freeze said to be “wreaking havoc” in communities.
There is a £175 million NHS waiting list of construction projects in the area as a result of the development halt.
Politicians and activists demanding desperately needed amenities are incensed by it.
Rhoda Grant, a Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands, stated: “The NHS is causing havoc to so many communities by pausing all capital projects.”
We can observe the urgent need for renovation and investment throughout the Highlands.
“It is shocking to deny funding for redesigns and upgrades when it is evident that outdated facilities need to be improved.”
‘Patients will suffer badly’
The state of certain services, including maternity care, is already “dire,” according to Conservative MSP Edward Mountain, and it will only become worse in the absence of investment.
The Highlands’ patients will bear a heavy price for this misguided financial decision.
“Once more, it seems that a government that genuinely cares about the central belt is primarily harming rural Scotland.”
He proposes using private money to contribute to the projects’ funding.
The most important factor is that enhancements and upgrades take place, and that they are supplied securely and with the appropriate resources.
“Ministers should seek support from the private sector if that is the only option available to them.”
So which projects have been shelved?
DELAYED: Raigmore Maternity upgrade
The £9 million improvement plan was put on hold just days after being given planning permission.
The expansion of facilities includes refurbishing the two maternity wards and creating a transitional care area and an examination/consulting clinic.
DELAYED: Lochaber and Caithness redesigns
The projects will cost a combined £160 million.
The Lochaber plan includes building a new Belford Hospital in Fort William which was due to start next year and be completed by 2028.
The Caithness plan calls for building new community hubs in Wick and Thurso in addition to renovating Wick’s Caithness General Hospital.
In March 2023, contractors were hired to complete a significant renovation and extension of the emergency room.
A service redesign includes the Wick community hub and care village, as well as a comparable facility at Thurso’s Dunbar Hospital.
Despite the halt, NHS Highland assures that the projects’ work will not go unfinished.
DELAYED: Grantown Health Centre
A planned £2.6 million addition would include local outpatient clinics, physiotherapy, and facilities for minor injuries.
The second phase of the renovation, which is presently being built, will not receive funds due to the stoppage of development.
Following Phase 1’s completion in April, work will cease.
The renovation completes the larger Badenoch and Strathspey makeover.
This involved the renovation of the Grantown and Kingussie health clinics as well as the building of a brand-new community hospital in Aviemore.
DELAYED: Cowal community Hospital
The relocation of two general practitioner practices to the Dunoon hospital would cost £2.9 million.
But now, for the foreseeable future, development will be put on hold.
Rhoda Grant was one of the seven hundred participants in a march through Fort William calling for financing for a new hospital.
“It is imperative that every feasible option, including finance, is considered,” stated SNP MSP Kate Forbes. “Members of the community and I stand ready to work with NHS Highland to progress plans.”
Pause due to budget cut
Capital projects have been put on hold, according to a spokeswoman for the Scottish Government, because of an anticipated reduction in block grant of more than £1.3 billion by 2027–2028.
“In the near future, we will prioritise taking care of backlog maintenance and replacing necessary equipment.
“We expect to publish the updated infrastructure investment pipeline in the spring, along with the medium-term financial strategy. We are currently working on this.”
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