Potential Ross Memorial Hospital replacement in frame ahead of Dingwall Community Council meeting with NHS Highland boss
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A campaign to replace a landmark hospital that has served Ross-shire for 150 years is gathering momentum ahead of a key visit.
NHS Highland chief executive Pam Dudek is due to attend the next meeting of Dingwall Community Council – at which items on the agenda will include the state of the Ross Memorial.
Having served generations of locals, the B-listed building is a familiar and much-loved feature of the town for many – although it has seen better days.
It is home to a hugely respected rheumatology unit and services including a nine-bed general ward. Patients are cared for by a multi-disciplinary team comprising nurses and staff from Dingwall Medical Practice.
Alongside them are physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, speech and language therapists, podiatrists and social workers.
Locally, it is felt that more could be done in a new hospital, potentially involving the nearby GP service to serve the local community, create new roles and take some of the immense strain off Raigmore.
MSP Kate Forbes said a new hospital in Dingwall “would be a significant boost for patients, staff and the town as a whole”.
She said: “The Ross Memorial hospital has an impressive reputation for providing excellent care with a dedicated group of staff. The building is obviously a considerable age and it is highly likely this is going to become more of a challenge as time passes. The staff already do incredibly well with the building’s limitations. Given the lengthy process involved for a new hospital, which at best case scenario could take several years, I do believe this is something which NHS Highland should be proactively considering."
She added: “I am pleased that the chief executive of the health board is taking the time to listen to concerns in person and my hope is that these discussions can move forward in the near future.”
Ward councillor Sean Kennedy said: "It would definitely be a long-term project but in my view the sooner we get working on it the better. I think everyone could understand the importance of a new hospital building down Ferry Road. It would be likely to increase the healthcare options available to people locally. If it were to go ahead it would provide employment during construction but also potentially increase employment long term. There is every chance it would offer more positions to more healthcare professionals.
"There is no doubt in my mind that this would be one of the best public service initiated projects seen in the town for years."
Community council chairman Jack Shepherd believes it is in need of replacement. He said: "To my mind it makes complete sense after you have seen the opening of smaller NHS facilities in places like Aviemore. We were shown around the Ross Memorial Hospital - a place that has served the local community for decades - and sadly it is no longer really fit for purpose.
"A new building would serve not just Dingwall, but the surrounding area and possibly help overburdened facilities like Raigmore. It would be marvelous to have a dedicated, new-build hospital in the town.
"Affording locals the ability to address health concerns near home is always preferable than trekking into Inverness, particularly for those who are a bit older. Not to mention the extra employment opportunities for people who live nearby and who perhaps don't want the commute into Inverness."
He added: "When NHS Highland chief executive Pam Dudek comes to the meeting we will definitely be discussing it with her and offering her our full support for the project going forwards."
