Raigmore Hospital (Scottish Gaelic: Ospadal an Rathaig Mhòir) is the largest hospital in the NHS Highland Health Board, located in Inverness, Scotland. It serves patients from the local area as well providing specialist services to patients from across NHS Highland area. It is a teaching hospital, educating a range of healthcare professionals in association with the Universities of Aberdeen and Stirling.
Video Raigmore Hospital
History
Raigmore has been a hospital site since 1941, when a temporary hospital was built on part of the Raigmore House estate as one of the seven new Emergency Hospital Service facilities. The single storey wartime wards continued to be used for a further three decades, until the construction of the present buildings. Amongst other medical services supplied during this period, the hospital provided the main maternity unit for the Highlands. In 1962 an announcement was made that a modern district general hospital would be provided at Raigmore. In 1970 the first of a series of new buildings were opened, including accident and emergency, radiology and radiotherapy, laboratory, out-patient services and medical departments.
The hospital has progressively taken over the provision of some or all of the services previously performed by older hospitals in Inverness including Culduthel Hospital (closed 1989), Hilton Hospital (closed 1987) and the Royal Northern Infirmary (since 1999 the location of a newer Community hospital with the main building now used by the University of the Highlands and Islands).
Maps Raigmore Hospital
Services
There are 452 beds in the hospital, mostly in the 8-storey tower building.
The hospital has 9 operating theatres. In October 2014 the board agreed a £26m plan to refurbish the existing operating theatres and add a 10th.
Specialist units
The hospital has a 30-bed Paediatric unit, where in-patient care in Medical Paediatrics; Oral Surgery, ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) unit and Child and Family Psychiatry are based. Raigmore also contains a 57-bed maternity unit; specialist services such as cystic fibrosis, cardiology and rheumatology and the Birnie Child Development Centre for children with learning difficulties and special needs.
Baby-friendly hospital
Raigmore Hospital has approximately 2077 births per year and has full accreditation as baby friendly, since November 2005.
Admissions Lounge
In 2010 an Admissions Lounge was added, located on first floor of the tower. This is a pre-operative waiting area to accommodate patients coming in on the day of their planned surgery.
The infusion suite
In 2011 a new service began that allows patients to attend as outpatients to get medication through a drip. This meant that several patients could be getting treatment at the same time, with a team of dedicated staff providing this care.
Citizens advice
The hospital has had its own onsite citizen's advice office since 2003.
Hospital developments
Emergency Department
In 2004 a new emergency department was constructed. In the General Medical Council's 2014 National Trainee Survey the department was rated highly by trainee doctors who had worked there.
Wyvis Suite
The Wyvis Suite opened in 2007 following a £600 thousand refurbishment project. It provided a new home for the re-located nurse-led pre-op assessment unit and the cardiac ultrasound service. These facilities had increased service capacity and allowed more direct and rapid access.
Radiotherapy machines
As part of a national replacement programme, the first of 2 new radiotherapy machines arrived in 2009.
Day service unit extension
Pick Everard were selected by NHS Highland to build a new day service unit extension onto the hospital site. Head consultant and architect, Keppie Design were chosen to assist in the mechanical and electrical engineering and building work side of the project. The new unit, to provide specialist renal and endoscopy departments, was expected to open to patients in 2009. In 2011 some delays to this schedule were announced.
Critical care upgrade
In March 2016, £28m was put towards a three-year programme to upgrade the hospital's critical care areas and operating theatres.
Children's ward
An appeal had been launched in March 2011 to refurbish the Children's ward, but the £1m target was quickly reached so a decision was taken to exend the target and create a new unit. In June 2016 a new children's ward was opened with a 30-bed inpatient area.
Charitable organisations associated
Maggie's Centre
A Maggie's Centre, Maggie's Highlands, can also be found beside Raigmore Hospital. Maggie's Highlands was opened officially on 7 June 2005 by the Scottish Health Minister, Andy Kerr, and Carol McGregor. The centre provides free support and information to anyone affected by cancer.
The building, which won the RIAS Andrew Doolan Award for Architecture in 2006, was designed by Scottish architectural firm Page\Park Architects and its gardens were designed by landscape architect and designer Charles Jencks.
(Registered charity number: SC 024414)
Inverness Hospital Radio
The hospital is served by the volunteer run radio station, Inverness Hospital Radio, which has a studio located on the ground floor of the main building. They welcome requests and dedications for patients, and broadcast 7 days a week. The station has been in service since 2 November 1970 and received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2012.
(Registered charity number SC 007993)
Friends of Raigmore
The Friends of Raigmore are a group of volunteers who aim to improve hospital facilities for patients and staff.
(Registered charity number SC 017742)
Royal Voluntary Service
References
External links
- Raigmore hospital page on NHS Highland website
- Maggie's Highlands - Home Page
- Raigmore Hospital Patients' Council
- Inverness Hospital Radio
Source of article : Wikipedia
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