Sites revealed for possible new hospital in Aviemore

NHS Highland bosses have revealed the four sites in Aviemore shortlisted for a proposed new £12 million hospital to serve the entire strath.

If the development does go ahead, the new facility will replace the ageing St Vincent’s in Kingussie and Ian Charles Hospital in Grantown.

The four sites in contention are:

on land at Granish north of the Robertson’s housing estate;

on land east of the High Burnside underpass by the Croftside housing estate;

at the Cairngorm Technology Park off New Dalfaber Drive; and

the Pony’s Field on land by the Macdonald Aviemore Resort.

NHS Highland chiefs said they whittled down the shortlist from 10 possible sites.

Seven of these had been suggested by members of the development group leading the project, and three had been put forward by landowners following an advert in the ‘Strathy’ for a three-acre site.

Mr Nigel Small, the director of operations for NHS Highland’s South and Mid operational unit, said: "We had another very successful workshop last Thursday.

"The well-attended event had 10 possible sites to consider and we came up with a shortlist of four.

"We used a well-established options appraisal process to consider all the sites and to agree criteria to assess the shortlist of sites.

"These sites will now go forward as part of the public consultation, and public preference will be one of the factors considered when choosing a site.

"A final event will take place after the consultation closes to make a recommendation on the sites."

Mr Small added: "Identifying possible sites does not in any way prejudice the outcome of the consultation but it does complete the final preparations which allow us to move to public consultation.

"We hope to be in a position to confirm the dates of the consultation period next week."

NHS staff made visits to the potential sites and held talks with partner agencies ahead of last Thursday’s meeting. Six of the sites were excluded on the basis of not being big enough or being outwith the Aviemore settlement boundary.

Badenoch and Strathspey Highland councillor Bill Lobban (SNP) said: "This is yet another big step forward in the process of building new community health care facilities fit for the 21st Century.

"We have reached the important stage of deciding the location of the new hospital building which will serve the whole on Badenoch and Strathspey.

"However, there is still some way to go and there is now to be widespread public consultation as the next stage of what has been a lengthy and complex process.

"I would encourage all members of our community, community organisations and community councils to make sure that their views are known and to take full part in the consultation."

Members of the NHS Highland board officially unanimously endorsed plans for the new single hospital early last month rather than to redevelop the two existing hospitals.

The proposals will be subject to a formal three-month consultation period.

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