Lawson Memorial Hospital buildings assessed for future use

North Highland Community Health Partnership – the part of NHS Highland covering Caithness and Sutherland – is looking at possible improvements to the way in which it uses the buildings at the Lawson Memorial Hospital in Golspie.

Locality General Manager, Georgia Haire, spoke to members of both Golspie and Brora Community Councils about future useage at a meeting on Tuesday, stressing that any changes would not involve reducing the number of beds at the facility or any reduction in services.

Ms Haire explained that recent surveys of the site had shown that the hospital was in need of considerable work, much of which was associated with a number of flat roof areas.

She said: “The current backlog for maintenance at the Lawson is £3.3 million, of which £1.85 million is likely to be needed within the next five years.

“We will be looking at options to improve the estate and the efficiency of our services whilst ensuring that all existing services on the site are maintained and enhanced where possible. We will be involving staff and the local community in the work.”