Fresh frustration over delivery of new hospital
A site for a replacement of the Belford Hospital was purchased in 2015
At a glance
A former Highland Council leader has said there is "dismay" over delays to a new hospital for Fort William
A site for a replacement for the town's Belford Hospital was bought in 2015
Dr Michael Foxley said there had been an expectation then that the new hospital would be open this year
NHS Highland said it could be open in 2028, if funding and construction work were approved
- Published
A former leader of Highland Council has expressed frustration that a hospital originally scheduled to be open this year is now not likely to be built until 2028.
Highland Council bought a site in Fort William in 2015 where a replacement for the town's ageing Belford Hospital could be constructed.
Dr Michael Foxely said people in Fort William had been told of the proposed new completion date.
He said the news had been met with "dismay".
NHS Highland confirmed a potential completion date of 2028, provided all the necessary approvals were secured.
The health board said: "The Scottish government has advised that the construction funding cannot be guaranteed before April 2026, however, with their support and agreement we will progress design work for the hospital and continue to develop our business case to be ready to proceed should funding become available earlier."
Campaigners had raised concerns over timescales last year.
The proposed site at Blar Mhor had previously been earmarked for a new Tesco, but the supermarket giant sold the land after abandoning its plans for the store.
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