Plans for a new hospital at Fort William have taken a step forward with the submission of a formal planning application to Highland Council and the launch of an option appraisal process asking the local community and health care staff what facilities to prioritise in the hospital.

The long awaited replacement for the 60-year-old Belford Hospital is to be built on land bought a decade ago for the purpose at Blar Mhor, Fort William.

After a number of false starts, the Scottish government confirmed the £137 million capital cost of the project when ministers announced the 2025-26 budget at the end of 2024.

The building of the new Lochaber Hospital is part of a wider redesign of health and social care services for the area.

The new district general hospital will include an emergency department, operating theatres and a maternity unit.

Chief Executive of NHS Highland, Fiona Davies, said:

"The submission of the planning application is a truly exciting moment for NHS Highland and for the communities of Lochaber.

“This project has been shaped by listening carefully to patients, staff and local people, and it is wonderful to see that vision now formally presented for planning consideration.

“The new hospital will support the transformation of health and social care in this area for generations to come, and I look forward to continuing to work with our partners and the community as we take the next steps forward."

NHS Highland says it hopes that Highland Council will grant planning permission in the summer.

Read more: NHS boards told to collaborate as two regions; Government to establish West Highlands care review; Health and care in the Scottish budget

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