Kingussie hospital cash: survey is launched by NHS Highland

Finally the people of Badenoch are being invited to have their say over the future of the Burall legacy - the fortune left by an American woman to St Vincent’s Hospital.

Community representatives in Kingussie have for a long time demanded to know just what the situation is over the £300,000 and more gifted nearly 25 years ago by Seattle woman Theresa Burall.

She wanted to show her gratitude for the care and kindness the hospital staff had shown her two friends.

After a frustrating search for information over the funds, campaigners finally secured the interest of local MSP Kate Forbes (SNP) who is now to meet with health representatives.

Local representatives have been angered over the way the geographical border of the bequest has been ‘stretched’ by NHS Highland to now include Strathspey after their town hospital closed in 2021 as part of a major shake-up of local health care services.

NHS Highland issued their invite to the community earlier this week under the banner: “Have Your Say: Help Shape Health & Well-being Legacy for Badenoch and Strathspey.”

A NHSH spokesperson confirmed: “Local communities are being invited to help shape the future of a significant legacy donation left to the Highland Health Board Endowment Fund charity (SC016791), the official charity of NHS Highland.

“The charity has a generous gift of £306,890 from the late Theresa Burall to enhance health and well-being in the area - and they want your input.

“The donation was first made in 2002 for St Vincent's Hospital.

“Before the hospital closed in 2021, the money was used to improve hospital facilities including car parking, toilets, ward spaces, staff changing areas, and palliative care services. This generous gift is now available for the benefit of NHS Highland patients, residents, and service users across Badenoch and Strathspey.

“The Burall Legacy Fund is a fantastic opportunity to invest in projects that go beyond standard NHS care, supporting local initiatives that improve lives from infancy to end of life.

“From small improvements and added comforts, to major innovations, suggestions will help inform how the fund is spent to benefit patients, residents, service users and the NHS workforce across Badenoch and Strathspey.”

Philip MacRae, chair of the Endowment Funds Committee, further explained: “This is a truly special opportunity to invest in the health and well-being of our community in a way that reflects local needs and aspirations.

“We want to hear directly from the people who live here. Your voices and ideas will help ensure Theresa Burall’s generous gift creates a lasting and meaningful impact for generations to come.”

There is a detailed question and answer guide explaining the fund and the engagement activity which participants are encouraged to read before providing suggestions.

The survey is now live and will remain open until June 13.

People can continue to submit ideas on the engagement page until August 1. There will also be a chance to contribute ideas in-person at a meeting in Aviemore next Friday (May 9).

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