A new patient accommodation facility at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness has been officially opened.

Loch Court is the second patient accommodation facility to be offered for the use of patients by NHS Highland. Along with Kyle Court, Loch Court provides patients with a less clinical environment while undergoing treatment or investigation at the hospital.

The facility is aimed at patients who do not need to remain in a hospital ward but who live too far away to travel.

Each patient lodge has two upper floors, comprising three flats consisting of one twin and one single bedroom, two single bedrooms with shared toilet/shower, communal lounge, dining room, kitchen and coin-operated laundry machines.

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Loch Court provides two additional self contained, self catering family flats on the ground floor.

A spokesman for NHS Highland said: "The accommodation will be of great benefit to patients who require the support of family around them during their treatment time at the hospital."

NHS Highland chief executive Iain Stewart said: “This is a fantastic facility that has been specifically designed with our patients and their families in mind.

"We know from patient feedback that they like having this facility on site close to the hospital and now, with the opening of Loch Court, we have facilities that will make it easier for those who need hospital treatment but also have family commitments.

“I’ve toured both Kyle and Loch Court and I'm so impressed with the patient accommodation that we have on site and from the feedback I receive, I know that our patients are too.”

Raigmore Patients’ Council member Linda Burgin said: “Patients from across Highland and other health boards have used the patient accommodation at Raigmore. It’s great to see that facility expanded with the addition of Loch Court. It can cater for so many people and we were honoured to be asked to officially open it.”

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