Harman Patil (Editor)

Raigmore Hospital

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Funding
  
Scottish Government

Emergency department
  
Yes

Phone
  
+44 1463 704000

Care system
  
NHS Scotland

Hospital type
  
Acute General

Helipad
  
Yes

Number of beds
  
452

Raigmore Hospital

Location
  
Inverness, Highland, Scotland

Affiliated university
  
University of Aberdeen University of Stirling

Address
  
Old Perth Rd, Inverness IV2 3UJ, UK

Affiliated universities
  
University of Aberdeen, University of Stirling

Raigmore hospital 75th anniversary


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.

Contents

Keeping raigmore hospital clean


History

Raigmore has been a hospital site since 1941, when a temporary hospital was built as one of the 7 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).

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 32-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 1726 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.

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.

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 PagePark 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)

References

Raigmore Hospital Wikipedia