North Sutherland Coast Redesign: Steering Group hears positive way forward for a new care facility in Tongue

7th February 2021

Members of the steering group behind plans to provide enhanced care provision to serve the North Coast Sutherland area (Thursday 4 February) heard positive news regarding the provision of a new care facility in Tongue. Officers from NHS Highland, The Highland Council and representatives from Wildland provided an update on progress on the project, following the decision by the Highland Council on 7 January to provide capital funding of £5m within its capital programme for the project.

Local Councillor Linda Munro, Chair of the Council's Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee said: "I am delighted that this transformational project has reached a significant milestone with capital funding now allocated by the Council, and discussions moving forward between the Council, NHSH and Wildland to allow a final position to be reached on the delivery model for the new facility. This is a much welcomed and critical development for the communities of the North Coast."

NHS Highland's North Area Manager Michelle Johnstone said: "This is a positive step forward and will enable progression with the care hub for the North Coast providing health and social care services for the community."

Wildland CEO Tim Kirkwood added: “We have worked positively with both NHS Highland and Highland Council to bring forward a proposal for a Care Home that everyone can be proud of. It is great to reach such an important milestone. We look forward to playing our part in realising the healthcare hub ambition as soon as possible, our aim is to make it the best it can possibly be whilst capturing such “added value” the development can bring as a whole.”