Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP Alasdair Allan and Barraigh, Bhatarsaigh, Eiriosgaigh agus Uibhist a Deas Councillor Donald Manford have welcomed the news that the Outline Business Case for the replacement of St Brendan's Hospital on Barra has been approved.

Commenting, Alasdair Allan said:

“Despite the excellent service provided by NHS staff, it has been recognised for the better part of a decade that the current facilities are simply unfit for purpose. A new Hospital is desperately needed and this is something that the community in Barra have been united in their support of.

“People in Barra have waited too long for this to happen and I have made no secret of my frustration about the delays to the project. However, I am delighted that after many years of waiting, an Outline Business Case for a new Hospital for Barra has now been submitted by the Health Board and approved. There was a positive and constructive visit to Barra in January by members of the Scottish Government’s Capital Investment Group which I think this helped create a clear understanding of the work that needed to be done to strengthen the project’s business case.

“NHS Western Isles will now be working on the development of the Full Business Case and I look forward to seeing this progress.”

Cllr Donald Manford said:

“Securing Outline Business Case approval for Barra's hospital is the huge step forward we have been striving towards for so long. This breakthrough has been achieved following the recent meeting in Barra with officers of the Scottish Government's Capital Investment Group, and on behalf of our community my sincere thanks to them.

“I look forward to us now, moving rapidly to Full Business Case approval.”