Hospital site decision day is here

The long running and controversial issue of the siting of a new hospital for Orkney finally looks set to come to a head today, Thursday, as the board of NHS Orkney is due to decide on the site of the facility.

The board will meet in private in the afternoon, followed by a public session of the board meeting, which starts at 6pm in Kirkwall Town Hall.

During the consultation process NHS Orkney chief executive Cathie Cowan said that NHS Orkney would be “foolish” to go ahead with plans for a new hospital at Corse West, if there was substantial public opposition.

However, last month, September, an NHS-led focus group — consisting of 30 doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, midwives, members of the public from the Public Patient Reference Group, and other health and care staff — recommended the Corse West site as the preferred location for a new hospital and healthcare facility.

Further details in The Orcadian out today.