William and Kate travel to Orkney to open new hospital

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have visited Orkney to open a hospital on the Scottish islands.

William and Kate travelled to the islands to formally launch Balfour Hospital in the main town of Kirkwall.

The duchess pulled a cord to unveil a plaque which marked the opening of the facility which began treating patients in 2019.

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It replaced the previous hospital which had served the community for 90 years and its circular design is based on the 5,000-year-old Neolithic settlement Skara Brae – one of Orkney’s most visited ancient sites.

PA Media

Many NHS services have returned from the mainland to the new hospital enabling residents to receive much of their care closer to home.

PA Media

The Cambridges are known by their Scottish title the Earl and Countess of Strathearn when north of the border, and Kate wore a Strathearn tartan scarf and a coat by Massimo Dutti for the visit.

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