Plans to upgrade one of Europe’s biggest healthcare sites have taken ‘a major step forward’.

NHS Grampian’s board has approved the business case for investment in two new buildings housing maternity, gynaecology and cancer services in Aberdeen.

Construction of the £223.6m Baird Family hospital and ANCHOR centre on the Foresterhill Health Campus will now go to the Scottish government for approval.

‘Much needed’ state-of-the-art facilities for patients with cancer and disorders of the blood and bone marrow are to be built as part of the ANCHOR centre, while maternity, gynaecology, breast screening and breast symptomatic services are to be provided in the Baird Family hospital.

The ANCHOR Centre is anticipated to open in 2022 and the Baird Family Hospital in 2023.

Site preparatory works – that saw existing buildings demolished, roads realignment and a range of service diversions – have already been completed.

Project director Jackie Bremner says the new centres will support and teaching alongside ‘person-centred’ patient care:

“This is a very exciting and important milestone which will allow the project to move to construction. It is also the result of five years of hard work for hundreds of people including clinical staff, patients, members of the public, designers and construction colleagues.

“The development of the Baird Family Hospital and the ANCHOR Centre, will change the Westburn Road face of the Foresterhill Health Campus in Aberdeen and support the delivery of modern, high quality health services for the people of Grampian and the north of Scotland for many years to come.”

Professor Mike Greaves, clinical lead for ANCHOR added: “The design process has focused upon the delivery of first class and efficient clinical care in an environment which ensures optimal patient comfort and privacy.

“In addition, the centre will house facilities for clinical research aimed at the development of improved treatment regimens, and dedicated conference and teaching areas to assist in ensuring the maintenance of the highest standards of expertise of our staff.”