Repair work needed ‘long before’ new hospital could open, health board chair says

MAINTENANCE work worth £10 million due to take place on the Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick has been defended by health officials, with the work described as “urgent”.

The topic was raised at NHS Shetland’s annual review meeting on Monday through a written question submitted by a member of the public.

Earlier this year it was announced that repair work worth around £10 million was set to get underway on the Lerwick hospital, including some walls needing to be repaired and replaced.

NHS Shetland said at the time that the work was “essential to ensure the building remains resilient, weather-tight, and functional for years to come”.

But the price tag has raised eyebrows given the idea of a replacement hospital has been investigated in recent years, which some suggesting the funds would be better put towards a new build.

But at Monday’s meeting NHS Shetland chairman Gary Robinson said it is “fairly urgent maintenance” required.

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“We need to do the maintenance long before we could possibly get to the opening of a new hospital,” he said.

Director of nursing and acute services Kathleen Carolan added the money already spent on a business case for a new hospital has not been “poor value” as it can be picked up again.

Meanwhile Scottish minister for drugs and alcohol policy and sport Maree Todd, who was chairing the meeting, said the question was not one of “either or” as both maintenance work and a new hospital were needed.

However the national position on capital has been “extremely challenging” in recent years, she added.

She highlighted that most new and prospective NHS capital projects were put on hold in early 2024 amid “ballooning” costs and other issues like “flat cash” settlements from the UK Government.

Todd added that the significant investment in repair works to the Gilbert Bain are to make sure it is “safe, functional and fit for purpose” for at least the next 15 years.

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“I don’t think the repair programme will delay the new building, as both have to happen,” she said speaking after the meeting.

“However, the repairs programme is essential to keep health delivery safe.

“We are on a pause at the moment, but as soon as there is money available all of the projects pending will be looked at, and our expectation is for NHS Shetland being reasonable high on the list.

“I am not making any promises, but the building is very old and requires a significant amount of money to be spend on maintenance […] so we will work with NHS Shetland to make sure that the needs of the population are met.”

Asked if a new hospital will happen in the 2030s, the MSP said she would imagine so but would not make a commitment.