NHS Orkney (Scotland, UK) has confirmed the full business case for the new Hospital and Healthcare Facility has been approved by the Scottish Government. 

The new hospital will be constructed on a site at New Scapa Road. As we reported in November 2014, the PPP project involves the design, build, finance and maintenance (DBFM) of the new hospital for a period of 25 years plus 3 years for construction.

The objective of the project is to provide NHS Orkney with a new hospital and health care facility to service the needs of patients in the Orkney area: the hospital will offer a range of emergency, outpatient, day case and inpatient services in addition to accommodating relocated GP practices and the Island’s dental practice.

In June NHS Orkney announced the appointment of Robertson Capital Projects as the Preferred Bidder. The other teams shortlisted were Canmore and Farrans/Equitix.

The project has an estimated value between £180 million and £220 million. The capital cost of the construction works is estimated at £60 million (US$73 million). The project will be delivered under the Scottish Futures Trust's Non-Profit Distributing (NPD) model which is in the form of public-private partnership preferred by the Scottish Government.

Cathie Cowan, Chief Executive of NHS Orkney, said

“This is a significant day for NHS Orkney. The investment by the Scottish Government further enables us to transform the care and services that we deliver. This new facility is a key part of our ambitious programme to transform care and services, which to date has seen investment in primary and community care, the establishment of a small high dependency unit, a consultant led staffing model and a CT scanner to support service repatriation.”

 “My staff are simply amazing, their camaraderie and can do attitude is hugely appreciated.”

Health Secretary Shona Robison said:

“I am delighted that the full business case for the new Hospital and Healthcare facility has been approved. This more than £60 million project will provide a significant boost to the local economy during the construction phase, and once complete the hospital and healthcare facility will transform the way services are provided on the islands’.

“These purpose-built, state-of-the-art facilities will enable more services to be provided at the hospital, ensuring some of our most remote communities don’t have to travel as far for routine care.”