Introduction

The Western Isles NHS Board is responsible for the provision of health promotion and health care to the population of the Western Isles. The Health Board is an integrated health organisation providing Primary, Secondary and Community Health Services, working closely with other organisations such as representatives of the public, voluntary bodies and local authority in a multi-agency approach to the improvement of health on the Western Isles and the promotion of healthy lifestyles.

The main hospital in the islands is based in the north in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, with a small hospital in the South on the Isle of Barra, and a new hospital on the Isle of Benbecula (opened in March 2001). On the Primary Care side the Health Board have 12 practices across the islands supported by General Practitioners and Health Professionals who work in a variety of locations.
Detailed statistics on the Western Isles Hospital, St Brendan’s Hospital and Uist and Barra Hospital can be found on the main Western Isles NHS Board pages.

All parts of the community are also served by a comprehensive community nursing service including community psychiatric nursing, health visiting and professions allied to medicine.