Public meeting will consider next steps including possible legal action to reopen Insch Hospital

Friends of Insch Hospital are looking at the next steps to bring a north-east hospital back into use after three years of inaction on reopening the facility.

Despite a pledge by Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to reopen Insch Hospital. made during a visit in May 2021 during the election campaign, the hospital remains closed in the face of considerable efforts of the community and the Friends of Insch Hospital.

A long saga of claim and counter claim has ensued over the intervening years with the local health board saying it no longer meets current healthcare standards and is therefore not safe to reopen.

In the latest moves to bring the facility back into use, Friends of Insch Hospital and Community are hosting a public meeting as they discuss the future direction of efforts and the impactful work they have been doing together.

Community input is crucial as they chart the next steps in supporting the community, with the meeting being held on Saturday, May 18 at 10am in Insch Church Hall.

Agenda Topics:will include -
Community Asset Transfer: Should we explore this avenue to ensure the long-term viability of essential services in our area?
Shifting Focus: Should we redirect our efforts from reopening the hospital to providing vital community services?
Advocacy: Do we continue the fight to return hospital beds to Insch, or is there a more effective strategy?
Legal Action: Should we pursue formal proceedings against AHSCP for their handling of the closure of Insch Hospital?

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.