30/07/2026
Thank You to Everyone Who Stood Up for Insch & District War Memorial Hospital ❤️
Last night's public meeting left us overwhelmed.
We want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who came along to stand up for Insch & District War Memorial Hospital. The turnout was far beyond what anyone expected, and we are deeply sorry to those who had to leave because there simply weren't enough seats or enough room in the hall. We never imagined such an incredible response, and your support means more than words can express.
A special thank you goes to Harriet Cross MP Harriet Cross For Gordon and Buchan for organising and hosting the meeting, and to Alexander Burnett MSP Alexander Burnett for his continued support and for standing alongside our community in the fight to save our hospital.
We were moved to tears by the deeply personal stories shared throughout the evening. Families spoke about the care they had received, the comfort they found close to home, and what this hospital has meant to generations of local people.
We also heard about the very different experiences faced by those who have had to use Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) be cause of the temporary closure of Insch Hospital.
One message came through loud and clear:
This is not just a hospital – it is a WAR MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Built to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice, it continues to serve the very communities they fought to protect. Closing it would mean losing not only a vital healthcare facility, but also a living memorial, a cherished part of our history, and a symbol of our community’s identity.
The strength of feeling in the room was unmistakable. People from across Insch and the surrounding Aberdeenshire communities came together with one clear message:
Insch & District War Memorial Hospital must reopen.
First Minister John Swinney, in 2021 the SNP made a manifesto commitment to reopen Insch & District War Memorial Hospital. Nicola Sturgeon reinforced that commitment by stating that failure to reopen the hospital would be **“unacceptable.”** The hospital was also highlighted as an example of the SNP’s plans to invest £10 billion in renewing, upgrading and extending the life of community healthcare facilities.
Last night's meeting showed beyond any doubt that the people of Aberdeenshire have not forgotten that commitment.
Will you honour your party’s promise, listen to the people of Aberdeenshire, and reopen Insch & District War Memorial Hospital?
The hall was overflowing, and sadly some people had to leave because there was simply no more room. The stories shared moved us to tears.
The people have spoken.
Now it’s over to you, First Minister.
Our hospital. Our community. Our history. Our future.
‼️ Please don’t let this message stop here ‼️
Share this post, tag First Minister John Swinney in the comments, and help us show the Scottish Government that Aberdeenshire will not give up on its War Memorial Hospital.
If Insch & District War Memorial Hospital has touched your life, we encourage you to write to John Swinney and share your story - whether it is about the care you received, the support given to your family, or what this War Memorial Hospital means to you and our community.
Your personal experiences matter. Your voice matters, email:[email protected]
Every story matters. Every share matters. Every voice matters.
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