Works are due to be completed at the Edinburgh’s new children’s hospital by the end of January next year – over 18 months after the Health Secretary stepped in to delay the opening of the new site amid safety concerns.

NHS Lothian and building contractors IHSL say they have reached an agreement on the final programme of works to be carried out at the Little France site, with a target date of the 25^th January 2021.

Cabinet Secretary Jeane Freeman halted the move to the new site in July 2019 after final safety checks raised concerns, including failures in the new facility’s ventilation system.

In the months that followed, the chair of NHS Lothian resigned amid criticism of the board’s handling of the children’s hospital project.

A public inquiry was also ordered into the construction of both the new children’s hospital in Edinburgh and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow.

In July of this year, the first clinical teams moved to the new hospital to start delivering some outpatients services, including fracture clinics and physiotherapy, while remedial work to address problems including issues with ventilation was still being carried out elsewhere in the building.

Susan Goldsmith, NHS Lothian Finance Director and Executive Lead for the project, says reaching this stage has taken a “huge amount of dedication and commitment” from both the project team and the contractors on site throughout the pandemic:

“Despite the challenges that covid-19 has presented us with, the teams have done an incredible job in continuing to drive this project forward. I am delighted to have received a date by which the building works will be completed.

“Planning for a move is always an exciting time, and this is no exception. Having seen colleagues within children’s outpatient services move to the new building in July this year, those who remained at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Sciennes, and those who work in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, have undoubtedly been eager to find out when they too will migrate,” Ms Goldsmith added.

“I am delighted that we can now start to have discussions on the final phase of this move with greater clarity and conviction.”

The Department of Clinical Neurosciences, also based in the new building, completed its move of outpatient and inpatient services in July 2020.  

Responding to news of the agreement, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “This is good news and I am very grateful to everyone for all of their work. This final move, like the earlier ones, will be planned with the full involvement of staff and communicated clearly to patients and families.”

 

Supporters – If you can help support our reporting for Scotland's health and social care community, please head to our donations page.

Jobs – Looking for your next career move? Check out our jobs page for the latest health and social care vacancies in Scotland.