The second and final part of a review has revealed further problems with building systems at Edinburgh’s beleaguered royal hospital for children and young people.

Remedial work in fire and electrical systems prior to opening is identified in the report, alongside ‘opportunities for other improvements’.

This includes installing upgraded fire doors and addressing a potential lack of appropriately qualified personnel in safety critical roles.

Ordered by health secretary Jeane Freeman in July after the move of patients, staff and services to the new site at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh was delayed because of issues flagged by final safety checks, the report focuses on fire and electrical systems and medical gases.

In line with previous predictions, the department of clinical neuroscience is expected to move in spring 2020, with the rest of the hospital migrating to the new site in autumn next year – a delay expected to cost taxpayers around £20m.

“The safety and well-being of all patients and their families has always been and will remain top priority, and I am truly sorry for any impact the current situation has had on them,” the health secretary said as NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) published the second review.

“I’ve written to staff again today to keep them informed of the latest developments and to express my continuing gratitude for their dedication and professionalism.

“Over the past few months they have continued to provide high-quality clinical services and care in what have been very difficult and disappointing circumstances.

A wider action plan bringing together both reports is expected in the coming months but before then, NHS Lothian has published a programme of activity to address this review’s findings.

Welcoming the report, NHS Lothian chief executive Tim Davison said; “We are pleased there are no new substantive compliance issues here that may affect the timeline.  

“The ventilation system in critical care remains the main issue and we continue to work through the remaining remedial works to ensure the department of clinical neurosciences (DCN) can move in in the spring.

“We are also carefully risk assessing possible further enhancements that can be achieved without affecting the current timeline.

“I would like to pay tribute to our wonderful staff at DCN, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (RHSC) all of whom have displayed real professionalism and resilience despite their disappointment at the delayed move. Just last week staff at DCN and RHSC won high praise following an unannounced inspection by Health Improvement Scotland.

“In initial verbal feedback the inspection team commended staff for the outstanding patient care they continue to provide, for the cleanliness of the existing facilities and the positive attitudes they found in staff at all levels.”