(Image: NHS Highland)
Plans for the new Lochaber Hospital in Fort William have moved forward after the Scottish Government approved the project's outline business case.
The approval allows NHS Highland to begin work on the full business case, the final and most detailed stage of planning for the new hospital, which will replace Belford Hospital.
The current Belford hospital was opened in April 1965 and is the last of Scotland’s six rural generals to be replaced or upgraded.
Local people have been campaigning for a new hospital in Fort William for over two decades.
Former Belford Hospital head surgeon David Sedgwick said that when he took up the post in 1992 he was given assurances that a new hospital in Lochaber would be built within 10 years.
NHS Highland said the new hospital "has been designed to deliver modern, high-quality healthcare facilities that meet the evolving needs of patients, staff and visitors".
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David Park, Deputy Chief Executive at NHS Highland said: "This is a significant step forward for the project and for the people of Lochaber.
"The approval reflects a great deal of work by our teams, our partners and the local community, and close engagement with Scottish Government officials over recent months.
"We will now focus on developing the Full Business Case and will continue to keep the community updated as plans progress."
Louise Bussell, Nurse Director at NHS Highland, said: "A new hospital will give our staff a modern environment in which to care for patients, and give the people of Lochaber services that are sustainable for the future.
"As we develop the detailed plans, our focus will remain on care that is centred on patients and well connected to the support available in their own communities. I would like to thank colleagues in Lochaber for their continued commitment while this work goes on."