Bidder selected for new hospital and healthcare facility

Stirling-based firm Robertson Capital Projects has been named the successful bidder for Kirkwall’s new £60 million plus hospital and healthcare facility.

The announcement was made by NHS Orkney’s chief executive, Cathie Cowan, at a meeting of the health board this afternoon.

The firm will be the health board’s partner in overseeing the project, from design to construction and maintenance.

Ms Cowan said the long-awaited development will match NHS Orkney’s “aspirations to deliver the highest quality care and services from fit for purpose facilities.”

She added: “This investment, the biggest yet for NHS Orkney, will enable us to start providing services which, currently, we rely on other boards to provide, and so support more care and services closer to home. Travelling outwith Orkney for routine care will become a thing of the past for many.”

The new building will also support the relocation of Skerryvore and Heilendi GP practices and King Street dental services.

It has been confirmed that the new facility will support a range of primary care, emergency and elective diagnostic, outpatient, day case and inpatient services.

In addition, clinical and educational areas will have video-conferencing facilities so NHS Orkney staff can link into training opportunities and health specialists nationally.