News / Major building work at hospital expected to start later this year
NHS SHETLAND has provided a first image at what the Gilbert Bain Hospital could look like after £10 million worth of urgent repairs.
The health board has submitted a planning application for the “essential exterior repair works” at the aging hospital, with parts of the building’s external walls to be removed and reclad to make them wind and watertight.
It comes as part of crucial works to ensure the hospital can be made safe and fit for purpose for the next 10 to 15 years.
The repairs come with hopes for a new purpose-built hospital in Lerwick currently on ice, but still in the pipeline with the Scottish Government.
The health board said the project team had been actively exploring options for temporary accommodation during the refurbishment, including the potential installation of modular units on-site.
This process is currently in the tendering stage, it added, with all proposals being “carefully evaluated”.
NHS Shetland said in April that the maternity department was one of three that would need to move while structural works took place on the crumbling facility.
It added construction would be “intrusive” and noisy, by that patient care should not be affected.
“We understand that these arrangements could affect car parking, and the board is seeking to find practical solutions to minimise any disruption for patients, visitors, and staff,” NHS Shetland said on Monday.
“At this stage, it is expected that affected services will remain in their current locations until into 2026, with major building work scheduled to begin later in the year.”
NHS Shetland said it had submitted an outline business to the Scottish Government about the repair project and its “proposed next steps”, adding they were “encouraged” by the government’s “positive response”.
While plans for temporary accommodation during the construction phase are still being developed, the project continues to progress steadily,” it said.
“A full business case will be submitted later this year.”
The health board added it would tell the public of any forthcoming changes in advance.
“Our priority remains the continued provision of a safe, welcoming environment for allpatients, visitors, and staff during this period of development,” it said.
“Every effort will be made to minimise any inconvenience.”
Approval for the work was given the go ahead at NHS Shetland’s board meeting in late April.
It came 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.”
Funding for the project is set to be supported by the Scottish Government through its capital investment plan.
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