NHS Shetland is advising patients, visitors and staff that essential roofing works will shortly begin on a section of the roof at the Gilbert Bain Hospital as part of ongoing efforts to maintain and preserve the hospital estate.
To allow the work to be carried out safely, scaffolding will be erected around the plant room from Saturday 3 October, with installation expected to continue until Sunday 11 October.
During the initial scaffold installation on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October, the car park off Gilbertson Road will be closed to both vehicles and pedestrians. Access through the Gilbertson Road entrance at the bottom of the stairs near the Child Health Department will also be unavailable, except in the event of an emergency evacuation. Patients and visitors are asked to use the main hospital reception entrance during this time.
From Monday 5 October, access through the Gilbertson Road entrance and car park area will be reinstated. However, staff and visitors are reminded to take extra care around the work area as construction activity, deliveries and contractor vehicles will continue throughout the project.
Two to three parking spaces near the work site will be reserved for contractors to support the safe delivery of equipment and materials. The hospital's bike storage units will also be temporarily relocated for the duration of the works to create sufficient space for the scaffolding.
The roofing works are scheduled to begin on Wednesday 14 October and are expected to be completed by Thursday 22 October. Once the project is complete, the scaffolding will be dismantled and removed.
Steven Wylie, Capital Projects Manager at NHS Shetland, said: "This important maintenance work will help ensure the roof remains wind and watertight following previous water ingress.
"We appreciate that the temporary closures and changes to access may cause some inconvenience and would like to thank patients, visitors and staff for their patience and understanding while the works are carried out.
"Every effort is being made to minimise disruption, and clear signage will be in place throughout the project to help people move safely around the site."
Hospital staff are reminded that primary parking remains available at Brevik House.
NHS Shetland is asking everyone using the site to remain vigilant around the work area and to follow any temporary signage, barriers or instructions provided by contractors.
While separate to the temporary steel mesh and strapping system currently being installed elsewhere on the hospital estate, these works form part of a wider programme of investment being delivered by NHS Shetland's Capital Projects team and contractors to improve and maintain the overall condition of the Gilbert Bain Hospital site.
An accompanying image shows the location of the scaffold (highlighted in yellow) and the temporary road and pathway closures (highlighted in red).
