NHS Western Isles Begins Phase 2 Consultation on Active Travel Improvements for Hospital Sites

Following the successful completion of the initial consultation in November 2024, NHS Western Isles is launching the second phase of public engagement for its Active Travel Feasibility Study, which aims to enhance walking, wheeling, and cycling access across three key hospital sites: Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway, Uist and Barra Hospital in Benbecula, and St. Brendan’s Hospital in Barra.

With continued support from the Sustrans Places for Everyone programme, this project seeks to develop practical, safe, and accessible active travel options for patients, staff, and the wider community. The study is part of a broader effort to improve the connectivity and sustainability of healthcare sites by making active travel a more viable choice for all users.

The phase 2 consultation, which began on 10th March 2025, will build upon the feedback gathered during the initial engagement phase and present early-stage design proposals for consideration. The insights provided by local residents, hospital staff, and visitors will help shape the final recommendations for infrastructure improvements, ensuring that any changes meet the needs of the communities they serve.

To maximise public participation, Active Travel Specialists will be visiting Western Isles Hospital on Thursday 20th March between 10am and 1pm to discuss the project, answer questions, and gather further input from the community.

Questions can also be submitted digitally, which will be addressed as part of an online presentation that will be available to view from Monday 17th March. Details on how to participate in this are included on the consultation hub.

We encourage members of the public to get involved by reviewing the proposals and sharing their views through an updated consultation survey. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping the future of safer, more accessible hospital sites that support active travel for all.

To find out more and take part in the survey, please visit: ethos.govocal.com/en-GB/projects/nhswi-active-travel.

For further information, please contact Ethos: info@ethosconsultants.co.uk