'No doubt at all that Raigmore Hospital will require significant investment or indeed replacement'
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Highlands and Islands MSP Edward Mountain today challenged Scotland’s health secretary to support his campaign for a brand-new acute general hospital for the Highlands.
Mr Mountain launched his campaign calling for a modern replacement for Raigmore Hospital earlier this month by writing to all three SNP leadership candidates – including health secretary Humza Yousaf – for their support and giving them a deadline of March 17 – the date of the Inverness Courier Leadership Debate – to respond in detail.
He says no substantive correspondence has been received from any of the candidates yet, prompting him to ask during General Questions in parliament today: “When will [Scottish Government] begin to set out its proposals for the NHS Scotland Infrastructure Investment Plan, post-2026, in relation to new-build hospitals?”
Mr Yousaf replied: “An exact timeline has not been agreed for when the next Scottish Government infrastructure plan for 2026 and the following five years will be published, but in line with previous iterations, plans are expected to published in 2025.”
Mr Mountain then asked: “Cabinet secretary, I wrote to you and all the other SNP leadership candidates last week, asking if you would support a new acute general hospital for the Highlands and Islands to replace Raigmore. I know you’ve been very busy and unable to give me an answer, but now’s your opportunity, cabinet secretary, do you support my call?”
Mr Yousaf said: “In terms of Raigmore, there’s no doubt at all that Raigmore will require significant investment either through a full refurbishment or indeed replacement. And of course we will work closely with NHS Highland to identify the best way forward.”
Afterwards, Mr Mountain said: “While the health secretary hasn’t committed to a brand new hospital for the Highlands today, it is clear that the Scottish Government recognises that Raigmore is not fit for the future without significant investment.
“Nevertheless, Highlanders will want to see a stronger commitment from the Scottish Government to replace Raigmore.
“I’m realistic that such a complex infrastructure project is unlikely to begin in earnest until after 2026, but that should not prevent the Scottish Government committing to the project in principle now.
“Doing so would help to kickstart conversations about what Highlanders need and want from a brand new acute general hospital. It’s better to begin this process sooner, rather than later.”
