Health minister opens Balfour Hospital’s new high-dependency unit

Alex Neil, cabinet secretary for health and wellbeing officially opened NHS Orkney’s new high-dependency unit during a visit to the Balfour Hospital on Wednesday afternoon.

The unit is a new purpose-designed three-bedded area that will provide direct access to on-island high dependency care. 

The board of NHS Orkney agreed to allocate £500,000 to support this new development.  A nominated lead consultant anaesthetist will provide clinical leadership to the Unit.   Additional nursing staff are also being recruited to work in the unit.