Consultation starts on Grantown’s former ian Charles Hospital
The future of Grantown’s beloved Ian Charles Hospital is firmly on the local agenda again, with a consultation under way to establish just what the community wants to see happening with it.
The building closed in 2022 following an NHS review on modernising and improving health services in the strath which in turn led to a new hospital in Aviemore and an improved Health Centre in Grantown.
Since its closure in 2022, NHS Highland has been preparing to dispose of the building. It is why the Grantown Initiative registered an interest on behalf of the community early on.
Community Groups are now moving forward to develop ideas of community uses for the building - “mobilising the community to safeguard he hospital site,” said Linda Coe, chair of the Ian Charles Redevelopment Steering Committee, which has the keen backing of local MSP Fergus Ewing.
“The Ian Charles Hospital has been at the heart of family life, birth and death for the Spey Valley for almost 140 years,” said Ms Coe. “With the refurbishment of the Health Centre next door, the old Cottage Hospital site is no longer needed by the NHS, so community groups in Grantown are coming together to explore whether the site could be taken on by the community.
“They are calling on local people, groups and local businesses to have their say in upcoming consultations.
Mr Ewing told the Strathy: “I very much welcome this consultation. It is right that the people of Grantown and District should have their say , not least because that was the wish of the original owners of the Ian Charles, and that it was thanks to their generosity that the buildings were used for a cottage hospital.
“Now its purpose has been served, the use should be one which accords with the wishes of local people.
“I had understood, from much discussion during the campaign to restore the funding for the completion of the construction work , that one purpose very much under active consideration was that the buildings be converted for housing.
“I am sure that will be considered, and certainly there is a serious shortage of housing as everyone knows. I will be interested to see what suggestions come forward in the consultation process”
The hospital was built and gifted to the town by the Dowager Countess of Seafield in 1885. Generations have since passed through the doors and the importance of the building to the community was seen in an emotional farewell visit to the site when it closed in 2021.
Community groups in the town want the site’s heritage of service to the community to continue. Organisations including the Grantown Initiative, Community Council, Grantown Society and Business Association have been working together through the Grantown Forum.
They commissioned a feasibility study to explore whether the site could be acquired for the community.
“The initial idea for the site is that it could be used to tackle the shortage of accommodation for key workers in the area, helping to sustain the Grantown’s vital health, education and social care services,” said Ms Coe. “Comfortable short to mid term temporary accommodation at the site could enable trainee health and education professionals to take up temporary placements in Grantown, bringing extra capacity and skills.
“It could also provide initial accommodation to enable people to take up professional employment in the area, before moving on to more permanent housing once settled here.
“We are keen to gather views from across the community on the key worker accommodation option, as well as other innovative ideas for the use of the space,” said Ms Coe. “Our only proviso is that any proposed future use of the building does not compete with facilities already established or planned in the town.
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“The community campaign to push through the refurbishment of the Grantown Medical Centre in the face of budget cuts showed the power of the community, and its passion to safeguard local services here.”
Residents can complete a community survey, online at bit.ly/IanCharlesHosp, or by picking up a paper copy at the Grantown on Spey Library, the Grantown Health Centre, or Fiona’s Wholefoods & Refills on Grantown High Street.
Residents are also invited to drop in to the Grantown Hub, 2 High St, Grantown, on Saturday, November 2 or Sunday November 3 at any point between 10am- 3pm on either day.
