The remaining staff at a derelict Moray hospital will finally leave the building before the end of the year.
The region’s integration joint board for health and social care approved plans yesterday to move staff from Elgin’s Spynie Hospital – 10 years after patients were last treated there.
Conditions on the premises were described as “awful” and “appalling” for staff members before the relocation of the 130 employees was rubber-stamped.
Employees will now move into temporary accommodation before a new permanent home is built in the town.
The board’s chief officer Pam Gowans said: “The accommodation really is appalling, there is no other word for it. We are really delighted we’re at the point now where we can get off the site.
“The mortuary is still needed, from a capacity perspective and discussions will now take place with the police and NHS to make alternative arrangements.”
Board members were told that the decaying Spynie Hospital no longer met health and safety regulations.
NHS Grampian now intends to sell the land on the outskirts of the town. Elgin City North councillor Patsy Gowans has put the “desirable site” forward as an attractive place for housing or an option for temporary school buildings.
In recent years the hospital, which closed to patients in 2006, has become a target for vandals with windows repeatedly smashed. Police have also issued warnings after people broke into the dangerous structure.
Maintenance work at the site had been neglected. Board members were informed that making the buildings fit for purpose again would cost £4.2million.
Refurbishing existing buildings in Elgin was ruled out by the board because it was considered cheaper to construct a new home for staff from scratch.
Vice-chairwoman Christine Lester said: “NHS Grampian has one of the largest backlog bills of backlog maintenance of any health board. This is a very favourable outcome for everyone.”