By Marjory Inglis, health reporter

A £15 MILLION contract with a private healthcare firm to treat NHS patients at Stracathro Hospital, by Brechin, remained under wraps yesterday.

On a visit to the Angus hospital yesterday to formally open a new radiology suite there, Scottish Health Minister Andy Kerr declined to comment on negotiations still going on to identify a private contractor.

But he is understood to be taking a close interest in the negotiations, with Stracathro expected to provide the blueprint for delivering routine hospital care for local communities across Scotland.

He said the vision for the future was that as much healthcare as possible would be delivered as close as possible to local communities.

“That is the very essence of what happens inside this hospital,” said Mr Kerr.

“This is a great, great advert for the future of health services in Scotland.”

Last year Mr Kerr announced £15 million would be given to NHS Tayside to spend on a private contract over a three-year period.

Originally it was envisaged the private contractor would start undertaking minor surgery on the site from February, but a contractor has still to be identified. The minister did confirm, however, there was no time limit on his cash grant.

“The investment promised will be delivered,” said Mr Kerr.

The cash will be used to create a regional centre at the hospital, delivering private sector operations that will help bring down waiting times, not only for Tayside, but also for patients from Fife and Grampian.

Investment made in the new radiology suite is already bringing down waiting times for scans that help doctors diagnose illness and track the progress of serious diseases.

NHS Tayside clinical team manager for radiology Steve Menhinick said that the average wait for a routine MRI scan was now down to between four and six weeks.

Demonstrating the technology, consultant radiologist John Tainsh used an ultrasound scan to show Mr Kerr the state of the ministerial fingers, recording blood flow and showing the position of bones.

After being welcomed formally to the hospital by Friends of Stracathro chairwoman Margaret Smith, Mr Kerr said he was delighted with local progress.