Graham Construction has handed over the first phase of the £28m Raigmore Hospital Critical Services Upgrade (CSU) to NHS Highland.

The new ward areas for acute medical assessment, medical high dependency, surgical high dependency and intensive care are complete and plans are in place for patients, staff and equipment to move into their respective areas during June and the beginning of July.

The original building at Raigmore was constructed in the 1980s and is being transformed with a major refurbishment to meet modern healthcare standards and requirements, the single biggest investment the Inverness hospital has had since it was built.

Graham Construction was appointed main contractor to refurbish the critical care and theatre suites at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

Phase two of the works, which is well underway, sees Graham redevelop and upgrade operating theatres at the hospital, which services the population of the Highlands (NHS Highland) as well as Moray (NHS Grampian) and the Western Isles (NHS Western Isles).

Pat O’Hare, Contracts Director at Graham Construction, said: “We have worked closely in partnership with our colleagues at NHS Highland to successfully deliver this state-of-the-art facility, which is critical to the healthcare needs of the Highlands.

“Graham Construction has significant experience in delivering modern healthcare facilities throughout Scotland, and we look forward to the successful completion of phase two of this important project.”

Kevin Minnock, project director for capital projects at NHS Highland, said: “NHS Highland is delighted to accept handover of Phase B of the CSU Project from our Framework partner Graham Construction.

“This phase of the project represents a key milestone in the overall delivery of the £28m Critical Services Upgrade here at Raigmore. The new department of critical care offers a first-class modern environment for staff to deliver high quality critical care services for the patients of North of Scotland.

“I would like to offer thanks to our contractor Graham, their supply chain members and the NHS Highland project delivery team for their dedication and effort in delivering this complex and challenging project. The unit should be fully operational in early July 2018.”

The Raigmore project is being delivered under the FS2 Framework which is providing design, development and construction projects across Scotland for the NHS.

Graham Construction is has been involved in a number of these projects, including the Baird & Anchor Family Hospital in Aberdeen (NHS Grampian), Intensive Psychiatric Care Unit (IPCU) in Stratheden Hospital, Fife (NHS Fife) and work at Monklands Hospital, Theatre/ITU upgrade in Lanarkshire (NHS Lanarkshire).