Plans to improve Dunbar physio service but X-rays to be carried out in Wick
Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.
PLANS to transfer X-ray examinations provided at Thurso’s Dunbar Hospital to Caithness General are being considered to accommodate improved physiotherapy facilities.North Highland Community Health Partnership is looking at moving the physiotherapy gym at Dunbar to its X-ray department.If the proposals are agreed, it is planned all X-rays in the county will be carried out at the Wick hospital.The idea comes after the physiotherapy gym at the Dunbar was found to be unsuitable for the treatment of patients due to the poor fabric and layout of the building. A number of building issues were also found, the most serious of which related to subsidence.North Highland CHP general manager Sheena Macleod told committee members underpinning the building to rectify the subsidence would cost more than £150,000.She believes the transfer of services would benefit patients requiring physiotherapy as it will mean the gym can be retained locally and provided in an improved environment."Even if this money was committed, the building, although structurally sound, still would not be fit for purpose," she said."As a consequence, the management team is considering the possibility of relocating the physiotherapy gym to the X-ray department at the Dunbar, which will provide vastly improved facilities, including individual patient treatment rooms."However, in order to accommodate this, X-ray services will require to be provided from Caithness General Hospital."More than 1100 patients a year currently receive physiotherapy at the Dunbar with 700 X-ray examinations also being carried out at the facility annually.Mrs Macleod said work is ongoing to determine whether outpatient clinics at both hospitals can be reorganised to ensure those requiring X-ray support are carried out at Caithness General and others can be relocated to Dunbar.* Will these plans affect you? Comment on this story or get in touch via e-mail at editor@nosn.co.uk