MSP asked to quiz NHS Highland again over Migdale Hospital as promised consultation yet to materialise
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Questions are being asked as to why a promised public consultation over the future use of Migdale Hospital, Bonar Bridge, has not yet been held.
NHS Highland has previously indicated that the consultation would be held before the year end and that it was working with an independent facilitator to develop a programme of workshops.
Concerns have been flagged up about the 22-bed, two ward community hospital, which provides geriatric and psycho geriatric care.
Its Strathy Ward, an older adult mental health assessment unit, has been effectively closed to elderly patients since March 2020, with the coronavirus pandemic and staffing issues given as the reason.
However neighbouring community councils and others fear that the hospital, opened in 2011 at a cost of £8 million, could be in line for closure.
Concerned Bonar Bridge resident Michael Baird is keen to see the consultation take place and is suggesting that, if staff qualified in mental health are proving difficult to recruit, then the hospital could increase its rehabilitation and respite service.
He has asked Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MSP Maree Todd to approach NHS Highland again about the hospital.
Ms Todd’s office has agreed, saying: “We are aware of he issues regarding Migdale Hospital and have previously asked what is happening to the service. We have only received one response to say Covid and staffing issues have impacted on its ability to maintain a certain level of provision.
“It is shocking as we all had great hopes when it was opened. This is a hospital that is very much needed in our community.”
A spokesman for NHS Highland told the Northern Times: “We have liaised with the facilitator and are in the process of setting the dates (for the public consultation).
“Please be assured that this remains a priority for us.”
