Plans for a new £15 million community hospital and health centre in the Highlands – aiming to transform health services for patients in Badenoch and Strathspey – have been unveiled.
The multi-purpose health complex at Dalfaber in Aviemore will bring together a number of health care professionals under the one roof.
The plans, lodged to Highland Council this week, illustrate space for 24 inpatient beds, three minor injuries/out-of-hours treatment rooms, X-ray facilities and an outpatient department which includes six consulting/clinic rooms, a group therapy room and dental treatment rooms.
Paramedics from the Scottish Ambulance Service will also be based at the new facility, alongside doctors from Aviemore Medical Practice, located within 12 spacious consultation and treatment rooms on the complex.
Georgia Haire, NHS Highland’s project director for the Badenoch and Strathspey redesign, said: “This is another exciting step. The submission of the planning application signals that we are at an advanced stage in the design of the new facility and we hope to have a positive conclusion to the application process, which is expected to take 16 weeks.”
The state-of-the-art facility is being designed and constructed by hub North Scotland Ltd, with works expected to begin no later than next year.
MSP Fergus Ewing, for Inverness and Nairn, welcomed the plans, saying: “I am pleased that NHS Highland has provided more details of the facilities at the new hospital. This is a step forward.
“However, I know that many of my constituents remain concerned about the changes to health provisions in the area.
“These concerns can be addressed when the NHS provide full detailed of the services to be provided in the new hospital in Aviemore and also the arrangements for patient transport and parking at the new hospital.
“This announcement is a positive step forward but more information is needed – something I know the NHS accept.
“It’s important that we work together to make the new arrangements a success.”
The complex will be accessible through public transport links with a transport hub located at the main entrance to the hospital as well as by car, with a with a minimum 128 parking spaces to be located in the grounds.
Councillor Bill Lobban for Badenoch and Strathspey said: “This is fantastic news for the whole Badenoch & Strathspey but it is only one phase of NHS Highland’s plans to revamp services across the area. Even more important than bricks and mortar is how we make sure we deliver health care in our diverse communities especially given the ongoing difficulties with transport.”
Highlands and Islands MSP Edward Mountain said: “I am delighted that they have been lodge. A new hospital needs built as soon as possible, but it’s important we make sure that enough palliative care beds remain in Badenoch and Strathspey.
“The services that we have got at the moment in Charles Hospital will be service maintained in better facilities. This is a consolidation of services to ensure their future rather than being dragged up to Inverness.”
