Public consultation over Migdale Hospital 'later in the year', say NHS Highland

NHS Highland has said it hopes a public consultation will be held before the year end over the future of Migdale Hospital in Bonar Bridge.

The health authority revealed it was working with an "independent facilitator" to develop a programme of workshops to take place later in the year.

A spokesperson said: "It is hope these can be communicated shortly."

Concerns over the hospital, which caters for geriatric patients, arose earlier this year with questions asked over why one of its two wards had apparently been closed for more than a year.

NHS Highland did not confirm the closure but said the ward had been "reconfigured" due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In July, East Sutherland and Edderton ward councillor Deirdre Mackay, an NHS Highland board member, gave an assurance that the hospital was not closing, but that its role would change.

She said at the time: "NHS Highland is drafting a programme of community engagement which will hopefully commence in late autumn. The purpose will be to look at the most effective use of the hospital from a Sutherland perspective."

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