Charitable donations to hospital, wards and department have taken a slight dip compared to last year according to new NHS Highland figures.
The health board’s charitable fund stood at £744,000 for 2014/2015 – £23,000 down from the £767,000 raised the previous year.
However, income for the Archie Foundation for the Children’s Ward at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness has risen by more than £500,000 and now stands at £1.55million.
Iain Addison, head of area accounting at NHS Highland, said: “While the total general income for endowment funds was slightly down this year, donations from the Archie Foundation have increased significantly.
“I would like to add how grateful we are that people have been so generous and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody for their support over the year.”
Donations to NHS Highland go the Highland Health Board Endowment fund, a registered charity which holds the money in trust.
The endowment contains a number of individual funds so donations can be made for a specific ward, a particular piece of equipment or amenities for patients.
Mr Addison added: “People can be assured that any money we are given will go to where they want it to be used.
“We have more than 300 different funds, so it’s easy to target specific areas. Ultimately, it’s all about improving patient care.”
One area where money will be spent this year will be for landscaping around the New Craigs psychiatric hospital in Inverness.
Health promotion specialist Dan Jenkins said: “Some £250,000 from the endowment fund, matched by a similar amount from the Green Exercise Partnership, involving Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission and NHS Scotland, will be used on landscaping work to provide greater opportunities for health and wellbeing in the grounds for patients, staff, visitors and the local community.”
The work, which is currently out for tender, is to encompass three main areas: a garden space associated with the dementia ward; improvements to paths and signposting to encourage walking on the site; and a ‘hub’ or village green type space which would include community growing plots.