Call to action over Belford
Frustration and disappointment are continuing to grow over the perceived lack of action on the project to replace Fort William’s ageing Belford Hospital, despite land being acquired five years ago.
In comparison, construction for new hospitals in Broadford on Skye and at Aviemore – barely 40 minutes from Raigmore Hospital in Inverness – are both already well under way, with completion due next year.
It was back in 1995 that a report flagged up the need for an improved facility.
But despite all this, yet another scheduled meeting of the local steering group, which involves officials from NHS Highland, has again been cancelled. It means the last steering group meeting took place on March 5, while the Transport sub group met at the end of February.
And while there is understanding over how busy NHS Highland has been in tackling the coronavirus pandemic, there is now increasing pressure for more tangible progress on the new hospital plans.
MSP Kate Forbes told the Lochaber Times this week: ‘Plans for the New Belford Hospital have been moving at a snail’s pace, despite land being acquired five years ago.
‘The steering groups have been delayed once again and some of the most basic elements regarding access haven’t been resolved yet. Members and representatives have participated in good faith for years, and so I know the incredibly slow speed of progress is disappointing.
‘I have raised this with the chair, chief executive and local manager of NHS Highland.’
Lochaber community advocate John Hutchison – a member of the steering group since inception and also currently vice-chairman of Kilmallie Community Council – said there was growing concern among the area’s community councils, including those for Fort William, Inverlochy and Torlundy; South Lochaber, Caol and Kilmallie.
The Belford Hospital project was on the agenda for Fort
William, Inverlochy and Torlundy Community Council this week and is also down for discussion at next week’s meeting of the Kilmallie council.
Mr Hutchison said: ‘Community council colleagues are expressing extreme disappointment and irritation at yet another cancellation.
‘We understand the current focus on Covid-19, but wonder
Continued from page one. just how many of those involved with the project planning and design of the new Belford are involved with post-Covid redesign, day to day.
‘We also note that the steering group has been meeting for almost five years with little progress to show for it and we are still discussing the basic principles of the services to be provided.
‘Covid-related delay only accounts for the past few months. In the meantime a new unit for orthopaedic and eye procedures seems to be moving ahead at Raigmore.
‘The question is how the NHS is going to get the new Belford project back on track and we call for a Lochaber-based, experienced project manager with this single remit to drive the project forward.’
Fellow steering group member David Sedgwick, who retired from his surgeon’s post at the Belford Hospital six years ago after more than two decades working in the hospital’s operating theatres, echoed Mr Hutchison’s remarks.
He told the Lochaber Times: ‘As a clinician I am aware that there are pressures on the managerial team which has been responding to the Covid pandemic over the last few months. However, there has been a lack of momentum in this planning process for a new hospital in Lochaber with several meetings having been cancelled or postponed over the past five years.
‘Whilst meeting in person has not been possible in the past five months, there are many internet platforms that could now be used.
‘The health board is well aware that the Belford Hospital is the busiest acute hospital in NHS Highland outside Inverness.
‘This planning process needs to be completed urgently, particularly as we are aware of the other new hospitals that are now being built in the Highland health board area.’
NHS Highland was asked to comment but had been unable to at the time of going to press.