Health chiefs have admitted that delivering a controversial hospital shake-up on Skye within budget will pose a “significant challenge”.
However, they predict the revamp of facilities at Broadford and Portree will be completed by the end of 2020.
Broadford was chosen in 2014 as the location for the main “hub” hospital on the island, with Portree to host a smaller “spoke” health centre.
The move sparked fury and the formation of a campaign group in north Skye over the downgrading of facilities in Portree.
Today, NHS Highland board members will discuss the changes again, and are expected to support a revised “initial agreement” for the scheme, in advance of both an outline and full business case.
The document sets out the schedule for the work, saying: “The estimated time-table for completion of the build elements of the project is the end of 2020, but clearly the wider re-design will be progressed throughout this period.”
The Scottish Government has set a cap of £30million to deliver the Skye project and plans for a similar redesign of services in Badenoch and Strathspey, including a new hospital in Aviemore worth between £12million and £15million.
The shake-up on Skye has been estimated at between £15million and £20milllion, and the budget has been flagged up in the report as a potential “risk”.
“The rate of construction inflation continues to be high at around 10% and achieving the new build Hospital Hub within budget will be a significant challenge,” it states.
However, the operational running cost of the new model is estimated to reduce from current £4.1million to £3.4million, while the current £5.5million of back-log of maintenance work at both hospitals would be eliminated.
The new Broadford Hospital would provide all inpatient care, diagnostic and accident and emergency facilities for the area, and be open 24-hours-a-day
The “spoke” in Portree will house the existing minor injuries unit, out of hours service and outpatient services that are currently provided from Portree Hospital.
Last year, the SOS NHS Skye campaign group delivered a petition, signed by more than 3,500 people, to Holyrood to urge MSPs to call for an independent investigation into the plans.
Neil Ferguson, who is a member of the group, said last night: “The SOS campaign continues as the community has not been able to put any significant input into the strategy.
“People on Skye feel pretty left out by both the health board and the politicians.”
