In December 2023, the Scottish Government announced their budget and outlined a very challenging picture for public sector spending. One area which is seeing the impact of this very quickly is capital spending - spending on large building projects. Scottish Government have confirmed that, based on budget allocation for 2024/25 and medium-term funding outlook, work on the National Treatment Centre - Grampian Project, including an MRI for Dr Gray's Hospital, will not progress further at this time and all project activity will stop. This will be the position until there is certainty on funding. Plans to refurbish the mental health ward at Dr Gray's which were planned to take place at the same time as the MRI construction, will now be reviewed alongside wider NHS Grampian infrastructure investment plans.

Clearly, this news is hugely disappointing, not only for those who have worked on this project, but for the wider organisation and for everyone living and working in Grampian. We want to emphasise our ongoing commitment to these projects, and we hope both will proceed at some point in the future. It is worth noting any capital funds we receive will be directed towards maintenance of the existing estate and essential equipment replacement programmes.

It is recognised that continuity of care - and minimal disruption - is vitally important for all mental health patient groups. The mental health ward at Dr Gray's and outpatient services will continue to operate at Dr Gray's and Muirton Ward at Seafield Hospital in Buckie will continue to deliver care for acute dementia patients. The detailed work done to identify and assess local sites and come up with a plan to make refurbishment possible is invaluable and will be helpful in the future when capital planning works can progress.

 

Published: 14/02/2024 11:28