Topping out ceremony marks milestone for £64 million NHS Orkney Hospital and Healthcare Facility - November 2017
A ceremony marking a major milestone for NHS Orkney’s new flagship hospital and healthcare facility has taken place today (20 November).
NHS Orkney Chief Executive, Cathie Cowan and members of the NHS Orkney Board, formally marked the occasion alongside representatives from Robertson Group. Following the presentation of an engraved trowel and a photo opportunity on the site, the project team celebrated with an afternoon tea.
Cathie Cowan Chief Executive said: “This is a proud moment for NHS Orkney and marks a vital step towards ensuring we can continue to provide high quality care in Orkney for generations to come. We are absolutely delighted that this stage of the project has been reached, with our fantastic new facility a step closer to reality. NHS Orkney staff have worked tirelessly to make this happen, and local residents have been incredibly patient and supportive. Once again, my thanks go to the Scottish Government and Scottish Futures Trust for their support in this project.”
“This will be a truly first class facility and the benefits it brings shouldn’t be underestimated. On a personal level it is great to see our hospital and healthcare facility take shape. I am in no doubt that this facility will enable us to provide even better care and services, as well as help us attract clinical professionals from across the country and further afield. When I joined NHS Orkney we had a vision to bring where appropriate and safe, more services back to Orkney. I am delighted this vision is now a reality as a result of this significant investment in healthcare here in Orkney.”
Bill Robertson, founder and executive chairman, Robertson Group, said: “Tremendous progress has been made on the new hospital and healthcare facility since work started earlier this year. The topping out ceremony represents a major milestone and brings us one step closer to completing the facility in 2019. Many of our businesses have been involved in the project, from Capital Projects to Construction and Facilities Management – and that expertise has been crucial in building a strong partnership with NHS Orkney. We have also forged great relationships with the local community, putting them at the heart of the project and providing apprentice and graduate opportunities, not to mention creating opportunities for local SMEs.”
The two storey hospital and healthcare facility will house a range of emergency, outpatient, day case and inpatient services supported by high dependency, diagnostic and theatre facilities. In addition, Skerryvore and Heilendi GP practices and NHS Orkney’s dental practice will be relocated within the new facility to reduce the money we spend on maintaining buildings that will become increasingly unfit for purpose in the near future.
All clinical areas will have videoconferencing facilities to support more patients being able to access services in Orkney and to enable NHS Orkney staff to link to health specialists nationally. The 16,248 square metre building will also accommodate the Scottish Ambulance Service and provide a base for NHS 24.
The building will have inviting internal and external spaces for the use and enjoyment of patients, visitors and staff, and will include multi-functional conference rooms, a restaurant, seating areas, shop, therapy garden and a children’s play area. There will be 320 car parking spaces on the new site, which includes 10 electric car charging points, accessible parking and cycle shelters.