New funding for Caithness General – including new birthing unit
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NHS Highland has received £800,000 new capital funding from the Scottish Government to enable the first stages of new construction work at the Caithness General Hospital site.
This funding will allow construction works for both the extended Accident and Emergency Department and the redesigned Birthing Unit to begin. The work is schedule to start shortly and will be completed within this financial year.
NHS Highland will provide a stand-alone, purpose built Community Midwifery Unit at Caithness General Hospital and develop the current facilities at the Accident and Emergency Department.
NHS Highland’s chairman Professor Boyd Robertson said: “This is great news for Caithness General Hospital and the people of Caithness.
“The Accident and Emergency Department has required more space for a number of years and the establishment of a state-of-the-art Birthing Unit will support the health and well-being of mothers and babies in their local area. This is a very welcome first step in delivering the wider development plan for the site.”
Jamie Stone MP said: "Knowing that mothers will not have to trek to Inverness during the winter will be of great comfort to many of us in the Far North.
“The risk of getting stuck in snowdrifts when helicopters are busy dealing with other accidents has been a cause of great concern to me and the families hoping to welcome a newborn! What a relief to know that our new family members can be birthed nearer home!
“Many of us have long campaigned for better health services in the Highlands. I am glad they have listened to us and taken this step forward, one I am sure will make a big difference to our community.
“The fight against centralising our public services is not over though, and I will continue to campaign for equal access to health care - access that isn’t determined by a postcode lottery.”
Gail Ross, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, has today welcomed the news. She said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Scottish Government have made this investment into Caithness General, which will allow the extended Accident and Emergency Department and the redesigned Birthing Unit to begin.”
“Today’s announcement is testament to the dedication and hard work that has gone in from across the community and the medical profession into the redesign process and is a real step forward in improving the service and delivery of NHS services in Caithness and north Sutherland.”
Full plans will be made available in the main area of the hospital for patients, relatives and members of the public to view.
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