A controversial new configuration of hospitals on the isle of Skye have been approved by the Scottish Government.
The go-ahead from cabinet secretary for health Shona Robison will mean the construction of a new hospital in Broadford and a smaller “spoke” facility in Portree.
Campaigners against the plan from Portree have raised concern about the service provision from the smaller unit in Portree for people in the more populated north of Skye.
The decision was welcomed by NHS Highland chairman Garry Coutts, who said: “This is fantastic news. We now look forward to continuing to work with the community in the detailed planning of health and social care provision that best meets the needs of everyone in the area.
“I appreciate that our proposals have not been universally welcomed but I hope that, with the cabinet secretary having granted her consent, the entire community of Skye, Lochalsh and South West Ross can work together to help us transform our services there.”
In a letter to Mr Coutts, Ms Robison said that in considering the health board’s proposals she had to be convinced that they were in the best interest of patients; that key local services would be safeguarded and improved; and that the plans for the “hub” and “spoke” were “credible and viable”.
And she wrote: “The board has made a compelling case for change which is supported by the majority of local stakeholders including clinical staff, planning partners, local people and their representatives.”
She went on to acknowledge the concerns raised by some local people about both the preferred location of the “hub” in Broadford and the service specification of the “spoke”.
“It is understandable that local communities will favour the maximum provision of services as close to their homes as possible,” she wrote.
Dave Thompson SNP MSP for Skye and Lochalsh has chaired a working group which included concerned members of the public and representatives of NHS Highland.
He said: “I am delighted that the cabinet secretary has so quickly endorsed the excellent work of NHS Highland, their community partners and the local clinical staff.”
“This now paves the way for more detailed planning on how the new facilities will work in practice, and this speedy sign-off by the Scottish Government can only bring the new hospital developments on Skye closer still.”