Caithness health hubs could include local NHS Highland-run care homes
THE planned new health hubs in Wick and Thurso are likely to include local NHS Highland-run care homes, Castletown community councillors have been told.
Ron Gunn, the chairman of the Caithness Health Action Team (CHAT) and a Thurso and Northwest Caithness Highland councillor, said the redesign project is "slowly moving on" but stressed there is "a lot of work going on in the background."
He said an update on the hubs is expected "fairly soon" and pointed out they could become like a village with a number of health-related groups moving there, including local care homes run by NHS Highland. The ambulance service in both towns is expected to be relocated as part of the £80 million redesign scheme with the Thurso depot moving to the hub at Dunbar hospital. It is understood the Wick depot would be based at Caithness General hospital.
Speaking at last week's meeting of the Castletown and District Community Council, Mr Gunn said it is likely some of the old buildings at the Dunbar will be retained for offices but many will be demolished.
As well as the hubs in Wick and Thurso, the initiative will include ongoing work at Caithness General. Improvements are being carried out at the accident and emergency and outpatient departments along with work at the operating theatres. The wi-fi system at the hospital is among other areas which will be upgraded.
Mr Gunn said the project is being funded by the Scottish Government and explained the health hubs were due to be completed by 2025 but that date has been pushed back to 2027.
As previously reported, a greenfield site, adjacent to Noss Primary School, has been confirmed as the preferred location for the new community hub and care village in Wick.
The proposed development, along with a similar facility at the Dunbar Hospital in Thurso, is one of the key parts of wider proposals to redesign, modernise and improve health and social care services in the county.
The Noss site, which is currently owned by Highland Council, was one of three to be considered in Wick – the others were at the Town and County Hospital and Pulteney House care home.
Earlier, Mr Dunbar asked what the Caithness councillors are doing about the condition of the roads. He said an email had been sent to the eight local councillors asking for their thoughts on the roads and what they are doing to try and address the issue.
"Not many replied," he said.
In response, councillor Gunn, stated: "It is only right that elected representatives reply to emails. It can be frustrating if people don't know what is being done."