PLANS for a new modern hospital to meet the “evolving needs” of patients in the Highlands have been approved.
NHS Highland’s planning application for the development of a new hospital in Lochaber was approved by the council on Friday.
The approval by the Highland Council’s Planning Applications Committee has been hailed as a significant milestone in the project by NHS bosses who say it brings the replacement for the Belford Hospital “closer to reality”.
The proposal for the new hospital in Lochaber is designed to reflect a commitment to “creating a welcoming, sustainable and resilient environment that enhances patient experience”.
Welcoming the news, Fiona Davies, NHS Highland’s chief executive, said the planning approval is a “landmark moment” in the redesign of health and social care services in Lochaber.
“This is the culmination of a lot of hard work and planning by our colleagues in Lochaber and the wider teams,” she said.
“They have gone over and above to help us secure this milestone and I am grateful for their efforts.
“We also recognise the work of our partners in this project, Balfour Beatty and Keppie Design, and we will continue to work closely with them throughout the next steps of this exciting process.
“We continue to build momentum with this project and I am excited about working closely with our partners and local communities as we take the next steps forward together.”
NHS Highland has also formally submitted the Outline Business Case (OBC) to the Scottish Government, and we are expecting the outcome later this summer.
The OBC describes the need for capital investment for the construction of the planned new hospital for Lochaber.
It also sets out the service model options assessed for future healthcare provision in the area, confirming the preferred model, which includes an intensive rehabilitation approach and additional elective activity delivered locally.
This will support us to deliver sustainable, modern and appropriate services as part of an integrated system across NHS Highland.
