Health / NHS hoping for replacement hospital clarity in December
NHS Shetland is expecting to hear from the Scottish Government by the end of the year regarding whether the replacement Gilbert Bain Hospital project can resume.
The project was put on hold earlier this year amid financial challenges within the government leading to NHS construction schemes paused.
Speaking during NHS Shetland’s annual review on Monday, chairman Gary Robinson said clarity regarding the status of the hospital project from the government is expected in December.
But he said it was still his view that a replacement hospital is still a case of “when, not if”.
NHS Shetland had been exploring options for a replacement Gilbert Bain Hospital, and no final decision has been made.
If a new build is approved, its construction would still be some years away.
The Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick has been operating in its current form since the 1960s and there is little opportunity to keep up with modern standards.
Robinson said it was “really disappointing” for the replacement project to be put on hold.
However, he said he felt the “work was not wasted” as it has helped to contribute to a “whole system infrastructure plan” all health boards have been required to carry out for the Scottish Government.
Meanwhile the annual review also heard how NHS Shetland is reducing its reliance on agency staff, who come at a greater cost than employed workers.
The meeting was told how “grow your own” schemes and attracting international graduates has helped to ease staffing pressure in nursing.
Director of nursing and acute services Professor Kathleen Carolan said graduates have been sourced from North America, Europe and Africa.
In 2022 NHS Shetland spent around £180,000 a month on agency nursing, but by end of March this year the figure had reduced to £94,000 – with similar shifts in medicine.
NHS Shetland chief executive Brian Chittick also said total spend across the health board on “supplementary staffing” was £7.7 million in 2023/24 compared to £8.1 million the year before.
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