Gilbert Bain Hospital needs £10m in repairs over next two years
MAJOR repair work which will cost around £10 million and take up to two years is set to get underway at the Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick.
NHS Shetland said it would help ensure the hospital remains safe and fit for purpose for at least 10 to 15 years.
Approval was given for the work to go ahead at NHS Shetland’s board meeting this morning (Tuesday).
It comes after specialist contractors assessed the aging hospital’s structural condition and found “extensive remedial work” was needed to preserve the building.
Some external walls need to be repaired and replaced, water ingress will have to be addressed and external render will have to be restored, the NHS said.
It added the work was “essential to ensure the building remains resilient, weather-tight, and functional for years to come.”
A dedicated project team including NHS Shetland staff, a design team and contractors has been working together to plan the next stages of the work.
Funding for the project is set to be supported by the Scottish Government through its capital investment plan.
NHS Shetland said it was “fully committed to keeping disruption to a minimum” throughout the project.
“Some preparatory work has already taken place, including the temporary relocation of the outpatients department and the installation of scaffolding,” it said.
“These early steps are helping us prepare for the more substantial work ahead.
“While many details are still being finalised, it is likely that some departments and services may need to be temporarily relocated to accommodate the refurbishmentwork.
“We want to reassure the community that any changes to services or access will be communicated clearly and well in advance and that maintaining full servicecapacity for the duration of the work is a priority.”
The health board added its top priority was maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for patients, visitors and staff.
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NHS Shetland board chairman Gary Robinson assured the public that the hospital “remains structurally safe and operational”.
“The work we are undertaking is about repairing our hospital and bringing it up to an acceptable standard, ensuring the building continues to serve our community for a number of years,” he said.
“While some disruption is unavoidable, we are planning carefully to minimise the impact on patients and staff.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support and patience of the community as we move through this important phase.”
The Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick has been operating in its current form since the 1960s.
The lengthy process of potentially replacing the hospital has begun but the project has been paused amid financial challenges within the Scottish Government.
For more information or updates as the project progresses, people can visit the NHS Shetland website.
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