Corse West recommended as preferred site for new hospital

According to NHS Orkney, a group of 30 doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, midwives, members of the public and other health and care staff have recommended the Corse West site as the preferred site of Orkney’s new hospital and healthcare facility.

According to a statement only released this morning, Tuesday, a six-hour meeting took place last Tuesday, September 24, at which the group was asked to discuss and agree weighted benefit criteria and score each of four possible hospital sites.

The group was told that changes in emphasis on the planning position and the removal of the Health and Safety Executive’s restriction over development at Grainbank meant that four sites were now considered viable – Grainbank, Scapa, Meadows and Corse West.

The group scored, in order, Corse West, then Grainbank, with Scapa and Meadows having the lowest scores.

According to NHS Orkney, this ranking will now be considered with the financial implications of developing each site, and a combined ranking will be prepared.

A paper will then be submitted to the NHS Orkney Board meeting on October 24, at which members will be asked either to confirm Corse West as their preferred site or accept a recommended alternative site.

The NHS statement added: “In reaching its decision, the board will take in to account the public views on Corse West expressed during the 12-week planning application notice consultation and what actions can be taken to mitigate those concerns.”