Welcome openness from NHS Highland

There are few subjects which engage the public more than the National Health Service and its concomitant healthcare provision.

So we would anticipate widespread involvement by Lochaber residents who have been invited to have a ‘once-in-alifetime opportunity’ to help plan the replacement Belford Hospital at Blar Mhor in Fort William.

As we report this week, Highland Council is intending to host a workshop to discuss the Lochaber Health and Social Care redesign with residents and assess the balance between services provided at home, in the community, in care homes and in the replacement for the Belford Hospital.

NHS Highland’s head of estates, Eric Green, was quite correct in saying that, for a new hospital costing more than £30 million, it is important to plan it right and involve local communities.

His point was reinforced by NHS Highland’s north and west operational unit deputy director Tracy Ligema, who pointed out that NHS Highland has little experience of constructing a rural general hospital in recent times.

NHS Highland is to be applauded for its open and transparent approach to what is a vital service provided to the people of Lochaber.

Involving the public is the right thing to do and we welcome the decision.

And we would urge all those residents of Lochaber who are in a position to contribute to the debate to ensure they make the most of this opportunity and have their say. The editor welcomes letters of approximately 300 words in length for publication on this page. However we reserve the right to shorten, to amend or to refuse to print them. Names and postal addresses must be supplied, including on emails, to indicate good faith. A daytime phone number is also required for verification. Anonymous letters or those supplied without a contact phone number will not be printed.

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