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Plans for a new hospital in Fort William progress to next stage

News imageNHS Highland This is a generated image of what the new hospital building would look like. In the foreground there is a car park that has been laid out with a few trees. The building itself is long and three storeys high. The colour is a little like sandstone, which is a common building material in the HIghlands. Mountains can be seen in the background.NHS Highland
A visualisation of what the new hospital in Fort William would look like

The outline business case for a new hospital in Fort William has been approved by the Scottish government.

For over two decades campaigners have been pushing for a replacement for the town's 60-year-old Belford Hospital.

NHS Highland said the approval allowed it to begin work on the full business case for the £137m building, which is to be based at Blar Mhor, near Caol.

The health board said that over the coming months it would continue to develop how services would be delivered in the new hospital.

Louise Bussell, nurse director at NHS Highland, said: "A new hospital will give our staff a modern environment in which to care for patients, and give the people of Lochaber services that are sustainable for the future.

"As we develop the detailed plans, our focus will remain on care that is centred on patients and well connected to the support available in their own communities."

Deputy chief executive at NHS Highland, David Park, said they would continue to keep the community updated as plans progress.

A public version of the outline business case will be made available on the NHS Highland website in the coming weeks.

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