The Highlands’ flagship hospital may have to be replaced – at a cost of £450million – amid concern the existing building is no longer fit for purpose.
Inverness’s rising population and the poor standard of some of the existing buildings at Raigmore have prompted health chiefs to look urgently at its future.
Members of the public will be asked for their views on a range of options, from a brand new hospital on a greenfield site to a major refurbishment.
But, none of the choices come cheap.
A report to be discussed by NHS Highland next week reveals the least inexpensive option will cost at least £280million, rising to £450million for a new hospital.
However, a new-build would take 10 years to complete – and would require a halt on investment in the current facilities for the duration.
The discussions have emerged as the hospital prepares to refurbish its critical care unit, including adding an extra operating theatre.
Two new GP surgeries, at a cost of £20million, are also needed for Inverness by 2020 because of the huge number of houses planned for the south of the city.
Health bosses will be told next week that any development would have to take into account “clinical, public and financial considerations”.
However, the prospect was welcomed by Mary Scanlon MSP, who said that the Highlands deserved a new hospital.
She also suggested rates of infections could be cut in a new building.
She said: “There is a limit to ensuring that an older hospital is fit for purpose in the 21st century and there is a limit to add-ons and refurbishment in terms of keeping pace with modern medicine and modern healthcare and combating infection.
“There is no doubt over the years that Raigmore has had its share of healthcare-acquired infections and although there has been a modernising programme, that is still limited by the building.
“People in Highlands have lived with the facilities at Raigmore for decades but there is no doubt that it becomes more difficult to provide the infrastructure and healthcare environment in older buildings.
“Inverness should have an acute hospital to the standard of the new hospital in Glasgow with as much specialist care as possible given the huge increase in population since Raigmore was built. Such a facility would help to combat healthcare acquired infections and ensure more equality of access to health services for people living, working and visiting Highlands.”
However, her Labour counterpart Rhoda Grant said that she was sceptical that a new building could be delivered within a decade.
She said: “NHS Highland has to have long-term plans but we have been talking about replacing the Belford Hospital in Fort William for years and we are still talking about it.
“If they are thinking of building a new Raigmore Hospital, then I admire their optimism.”
Parts of the Raigmore complex are about 50 years old and various improvements have been implemented in recent years.
In 2012, a £3million upgrade was carried out to counter fire safety fears.
And earlier this week it was revealed that the Scottish Government had approved the health board’s outline business case for upgrading surgical areas at the hospital – including the creation of an extra 10th operating theatre.
Eric Green, head of estates, said: “It is clear significant investment is needed in Raigmore’s building fabric if it is to continue to deliver health care for the next 20 years.
“The plan identifies five main options to carry forward, ranging from a brand new build on a greenfield site to maximum refurbishment of the existing with significant new build.
“The plan also suggests that public consultation is held on the future of Raigmore.
“These options range in cost from £280million to £450million.
As well as public consultation when the options are better understood, a lot of work will be required to establish the favoured option as this decision will need to take account of clinical, public and financial considerations.”