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Patients start attending new hospital in Orkney

NHS Orkney
Balfour Hospital on Orkney.

Residents in Orkney are now able to attend the brand new hospital in Kirkwall as the first services at the new Balfour have gone live.

The switch over from the old facility to the new Balfour Hospital has been undertaken over the course of the weekend, with those attending the emergency department and the maternity unit switching over on Friday.

As a result of the change and relocation of some services, plans are in place to shift the Heilendi and Skerryvore GP practices into the new facility.

Both facilities remain closed today and will reopen inside the new Balfour tomorrow.

Anybody requiring access to a GP during the closure period today should contact NHS 24 on 111.

NHS Orkney’s chief executive, Gerry O’Brien, said: “I want to say a huge thank you to every member of staff because everyone has played a part in getting us ready to move.

“Any relocation of clinical services is significant; moving an entire hospital is a major undertaking. We’re all really excited to get the new facility up and running.

“There are some key dates and times people in the county need to be aware of when it comes to accessing healthcare. I know we can count on their support to make this move as smooth as possible.”

Dental services at the new hospital will also go live on Wednesday affecting patients who previously used the King Street dental practice and Balfour oral surgery unit.

All other services at the hospital will relocate and become active tomorrow.