New family feeling in Fort William

A new “Family Centre” will bring all the relevant health professionals together on one site in a project within the old school hostel, adjacent to Lochaber High School at Camaghael in Fort William. 

The first phase of this project will be used to provide office accommodation for Health and Social Care staff, well ahead of the termination of the lease of their existing accommodation at Fulton House, Gordon Square, Fort William in December 2017.

In phase two of the project, the building will be further modernised to future proof the delivery of 21st century services. It will bring Children’s Services including; Children and Families Social Work, Children’s Disability Services, the Youth Action Team, Health Visiting, School Nursing, Primary Mental Health workers, and range of other Health professionals, together under a single roof.

The primary purpose of this phase, and of the project as whole, is to reap the benefits of closer integration, build relationships between professionals and to allow children and families an optimum service with the minimum of bureaucracy. There will be child and family friendly space within this phase where direct services can be delivered in a relaxed and professional manner.

Area Leader Cllr Thomas MacLennan said:  “I’m delighted to see this project coming to fruition as it offers an excellent opportunity to bring all the relevant health professionals together on one site, which I have no doubt will be beneficial, not only to them professionally, but to the service they provide to all young people and families in the area.”

Area Care and Learning Manager Norma Young said: “This is an exciting development for The Highland Council’s Care & Learning Service in Lochaber. The integration of these teams will provide opportunities for closer working and a more holistic service which puts children and families at the centre.”

Photograph L to R: Simon Jeffrey, Practice lead School Years, Fiona Livingstone, Business Support, Elizabeth Stevenson, Health Visitor/School Nurse, Matthew Musset, Area Principle Educational Psychologist, Lynne Donoghue, School Nurse Assistant, Phil Kyle, Systems Support Officer, Frances Smith, and Eilidh MacDonald, Business Support.