Health bosses have detailed the thinking behind plans to stage a phased reopening of Montrose Infirmary and maternity unit.
The hospital has been closed since late April after the failure of heating and water systems, but NHS Tayside has now confirmed the maternity unit at the hospital will reopen within weeks.
But they say they will not be moving elderly patients who were transferred to Brechin back to Montrose immediately for what have been described as sound clinical reasons.
NHS Tayside nursing director Dr Margaret McGuire said: “Staff have been working hard over the past few weeks to get the infirmary to the point where it is safe for patients and staff and we can make plans to reopen the hospital.
“I am pleased to say that thanks to their hard work and perseverance to overcome all the associated issues which had arisen following the failure of the water and heating systems, we are now planning to reopen the hospital in the week of June 16.
“There is still some estates work and re-testing to be done with the heating system and water supply but we are confident we will be able to reopen on a phased basis starting with the opening of the Community Maternity Unit.
“Between now and then we will be undertaking risk assessments on the issues which we have been dealing with over the past few weeks and reviewing our business continuity plans to ensure they are as robust as they can be so we can keep providing services to the communities of Montrose.”
Dr McGuire added: “As soon as we have a firm date for the opening of the maternity unit we will let everyone know.
“Our midwives are continuing to care for Montrose new mums and mothers-to-be and therefore they will keep women updated with what is happening.”
Medical director Dr Russell said: “The reason we are intending to reopen the hospital with the maternity unit and not reopening the GP ward immediately is that there are very well-evidenced clinical reasons why we would not want to move older patients from Brechin Infirmary where they are settled, back to Montrose Infirmary if it is not absolutely necessary.
“The two Montrose patients currently being cared for in Brechin are being looked after very well by the Montrose team and evidence tells us that it is not in the best interests of patients’ care to move elderly patients from one ward to another ward, and in this case one ward in one hospital to another ward in another hospital.
“Therefore we plan to keep caring for these two patients in Brechin Infirmary.”