Scottish Government is considering replacing Raigmore in its next health infrastructure plans
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Edward Mountain today welcomed further progress in his campaign calling for a new acute general teaching hospital to replace Raigmore Hospital.
In March, Mr Mountain launched his campaign for a modern replacement for Raigmore before https://www.edwardmountainmsp.scot/a-brand-new-highland-hospitalwhich has so far collected well over 300 signatures and counting.
- Edward Mountain launches campaign to secure a replacement for Raigmore hospital
- Public backing sought as petition to replace Raigmore Hospital aims to put pressure on Scottish Government and NHS Highland
During General Questions at Holyrood, the Highlands and Islands MSP pressed the SNP health secretary Michael Matheson on which hospitals are being considered for replacement in the next decade.
Mr Mountain said: “The cabinet secretary will be aware that support is growing hourly for a petition to replace Raigmore.
“Given there is an appetite for a brand-new hospital in the Highlands, will the cabinet secretary agree to meet with the board of NHS Highland and me to discuss this?”
Mr Matheson then revealed the government has a billion pounds to fund health capital infrastructure projects and that it “will include looking at facilities such as Raigmore.”
He said: “In February 2021 the Scottish Government published its infrastructure investment plan, which outlined the government’s priorities up until 2026.
“The timetable for the following five-year period is still to be determined but I would expect the next plan to be published in late 2025 or early 2026.
“As a government we are committed to investing a billion pounds over the course of the next ten years in health capital projects and that will include looking at facilities such as Raigmore when it comes to considering plans for refurbishment or replacement programmes.
“So we are committed to making sure that we make the right investments and I engage with NHS Highland, I’ve just come from a call which involved a discussion with the chief executive of NHS Highland to look at what further investments are necessary.”
Given that development Mr Mountain urged all people to sign his petition to put as much behind the case as possible when it comes to making a decision.
He said: “There’s £1 billion of funding available to build new hospitals and NHS Highland must receive its fair share of that to replace Raigmore.
“I am also pleased to hear from the Cabinet Secretary that he is already speaking to NHS Highland about the infrastructure they need to deliver the health care Highlanders deserve.
“Every signature to my petition makes a stronger case to the Scottish Government that the Highlands needs a brand-new hospital. I would therefore urge everyone to sign the petition and then share it with their family, friends and neighbours too.
“If you are unable to sign the petition online then please feel free to visit my Regional Office in Inverness, where my staff will be happy to help people sign the petition in person.”
