The Freezing by Scottish Government Of Capital Spending Hits Shetland Hospital

20th April 2024

Every part of Scotland is hit by the freeze on capital spending by Scottish Government. The Shetland Times has highlighted the issue in the long running campaign to renew the Gilbert Bain hospital.

SHETLAND MSP Beatrice Wishart has voiced her frustration at no timescale being offered by the Scottish Government for a possible replacement Gilbert Bain Hospital.

She asked the question in parliament but health secretary Neil Gray was unable to provide a timescale.

https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2024/04/19/also-in-the-news-no-hospital-timescale-duathlon-and-more/

It comes after the government put a pause on new NHS construction projects as a result of a financial squeeze.

Speaking afterwards, Wishart said: "We need a facility that is fit for the 21st century, fit to meet the needs of clinicians and those working in it as well as for patients.

"It is deeply disappointing that the cabinet secretary could not give a timetable today of when Shetland residents might receive care in a modern facility."