Business case for new hospital approved

NHS Orkney has approved the outline business case for the county’s new hospital and healthcare facilities.

The news was discussed at a public meeting of the county’s health board yesterday afternoon, Thursday. The document is to be now submitted to the Scottish Government where it will come under further scrutiny.

The benefits to Orkney stemming from the development were also pointed out and included the use of local contractors and, eventually, increased career and training opportunities for hospital staff, which includes a new working relationship with Robert Gordon’s University.

Under the new proposals it is estimated that the construction of the new building would be completed and building handed over by August 2018.