Dunbar Hospital review meeting set for December

A MEETING on the future of the Dunbar hospital in Thurso is to take place before the end of the year.

That was agreed by members of the North Highland Community Partnership committee when they met in Wick today (Tuesday).

Plans to close the inpatient ward at the Dunbar hospital and reduce the opening hours at the minor injuries unit were deferred earlier this year following public concern. Under the plan palliative care would be transferred to the Town and County Hospital in Wick.

North Highland CHP general manager, Sheena Macleod, told the meeting in Caithness General hospital that five key issues are being looked at following public concern expressed in August – in-care palliative care provision in the Thurso area; clarity around the vision for the use of the Dunbar site; the impact of the proposed redesign plan on the Scottish Ambulance Service; the socio-economic impact, including transport issues and the impact on staff.

Mrs Macleod said it is hoped the review of the issues will be completed by end of October and be the subject of a single-topic meeting in Thurso in December.

It had been hoped to hold the meeting on December 6 but it was discovered the date clashes with an NHS board meeting. Committee chairman Colin Punler suggested holding it before Christmas.

For the full story see Wednesday’s Caithness Courier.

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