Broadford has been selected as the location for a new hospital in Skye.

A steering group, established by NHS Highland, made the selection following public consultation.

The preferred site will provide a base for community health and social care workers, and will also be used by the Scottish Ambulance Service.

In addition to the new "hub" facility, it was recommended that local services should also be modernised. As a result, Portree Hospital will be upgraded. In a statement, NHS Highland said this facility would act as a smaller "spoke" facility to the new hospital.

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The proposed new hub would be the main site and would accommodate a range of services, such as the Scottish Ambulance Service, social care and community health. It would also offer in-patient facilities, X-ray and endoscopy facilities, a procedure room for minor operations, out-patient chemotherapy and infusion service; as well as the main visiting out-patient services such as orthopaedic, surgical, chest and ENT.

The spoke facility would accommodate out-patient services,but would not have in-patient beds.

Tracy Ligema, NHS Highland area manager west, said: "We are in the middle of a lengthy process and much has to be done, including identifying sites and holding a full public consultation. Full details of that consultation will be issued as soon as they have been approved."

Dave Thompson MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, also welcomed the progress. He said: "This has been developed in a consensual way and I welcome the proposed locations of Broadford for the enhanced hospital hub. I am also pleased at the extensive out-patient services that are proposed for the Portree spoke."

(JP/IT)