McArthur welcomes replacement hospital news

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has welcomed news that the Scottish Government has approved funding for a new Balfour Hospital and dental facility.

Mr McArthur said: “I have been making the case to ministers for a new Balfour hospital since being elected Orkney’s MSP in 2007.  Indeed, I wrote to the Health Secretary as recently as last week, urging her to reach a decision ahead of her visit to Orkney next month.

“I am delighted, therefore, that the campaign has been successful and congratulate NHS Orkney, the Council and others who have done so much over many years to secure this outcome.

“Staff at the hospital are to be commended on delivering a good service over the years, very often in the most trying of conditions.  The new hospital is the least they, and indeed patients throughout Orkney, deserve. As well as a new hospital, this decision will also enable progress to be made on a much-needed care facility in Kirkwall.

“I look forward to welcoming Nicola Sturgeon to Orkney next month and discussing with her the details about how this long-overdue project is now to be delivered”.