Islay Hospital

Islay Hospital is a small community hospital located on Gortanvogie Road in Bowmore, a quarter-mile (0.5 km) southeast of the village centre. It serves the healthcare needs of the islands of Islay and Jura in the Inner Hebrides. The single-storey flat-roofed building opened in 1964 and was extended to its current size in 1969.

General practitioner practices in Bowmore, Port Charlotte and Port Ellen share the responsibility for staffing the hospital's accident and emergency service, 24-bed acute ward and two-bed maternity unit. The hospital also provides radiography, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy services, as well as providing a base for a health visitor, school nurse and cancer-support nurse. In recent years, dental services have also been provided from the site.

The hospital had its origins as the Islay Combination Poorhouse, which was established on the site in 1865. In the 20th century, this became Gortanvogie House, which cared for the elderly, long-term sick and those with psychiatric needs. By the late 1950s, the building had no electricity and limited hot water - although many of the island's homes were in a similar situation. Thus the new hospital was planned. Gortanvogie House was demolished after this new hospital was opened, and a home for the elderly built on its site.

Today, Islay Hospital is managed by NHS Highland.


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