Contractor GMR Henderson appointed for Caithness General Hospital New Maternity Unit

5th February 2021

NHS Highland is delighted to announce that local Caithness firm GMR Henderson has been awarded the construction contract to refurbish the Queen Elizabeth West Wing at Caithness General Hospital to create a new Community Midwifery Unit.

The new facility will have its own independent entrance and will include a birthing unit, outpatient clinic rooms and scanning room, providing a one-stop shop for women and their babies for antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care.

The project has been designed and managed by the NHS Highland Estates team, with specialist input from consultants CDMM and Thomson Gray. Construction is due to start on site within the next fortnight.

NHS Highland's Head of Estates, Eric Green, said: "We are delighted to award this important contract to a Caithness firm, providing a much-needed boost to the local economy during these difficult times. We are working closely with GMR Henderson to achieve a completion date of March 2021."

GMR’s Managing Director Gerry Henderson said: “We are delighted to secure the contract from NHS Highland to develop the new Community Midwifery Unit at Caithness General Hospital. We will use local subcontractors on this project, including four apprentices, highlighting our shared commitment in providing opportunities for young people in Caithness.

NHS Highland received £800,000 of capital funding from the Scottish Government in May 2020 for the creation of the Community Midwifery Unit and an upgrade and expansion of the Emergency Department at the hospital, following a visit to the area by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “It is essential women in Scotland, including those in more remote and rural areas, receive a safe, high-quality service from our NHS. That is why we invested £800,000 to help substantially upgrade the provision of services in both the maternity and the A&E departments of Caithness General, which we know is an important and valuable hospital.”



“The proposed new Community Midwifery Unit will continue to provide high quality, safe maternity care for women locally, tailored around individual need, and provide this care in a new and comfortable environment.



“I am sure patients, their families and of course, hospital staff will benefit from the extra space and additional facilities.”



The Emergency Department expansion and associated outpatient department move are being undertaken by NHS Highland’s Estates team. Six outpatient clinic rooms were created last year with enhanced ophthalmology services, and a new waiting area and reception is underway.

Work started in the Emergency Department earlier this month and will be carried out on a phased basis to allow essential clinical services to continue.

Caithness General Hospital Manager, Pam Garbe, said: “On behalf of the team at Caithness General Hospital, we are delighted to have received this funding which will improve services locally to meet the changing needs in health care. The expansion and development of the Emergency and the Outpatient Departments will greatly improve facilities and access to care.”

Laura Menzies, Team Lead Midwife for Caithness said "I am delighted with the investment by Scottish Government and NHS Highland in Caithness maternity services. The team look forward to welcoming women to our new, purpose designed community midwifery unit.

“The unit has been created as one facility to encompass antenatal clinics, scanning facility, assessment & triage space, parent education area and birthing room. I am very happy to have local contractor GMR Henderson appointed to this project, and look forward to working with them to create a unit befitting our future local maternity services.”