New Hospital For Haddington Set To Be Approved
Final proposals which will see a new £72 million community hospital built in East Lothian have been submitted to East Lothian Council.
The planning submission follows extensive consultation with local communities and has seen over 300 people attend events and provide feedback.
The new hospital will be built on the existing Roodlands site in Haddington, with construction anticipated to start on the project in late 2016.
Some services will return to East Lothian as part of the development and it will bring an almost 60 per cent increase in inpatient beds to the county.
David Small, Chief Officer, East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “We are delighted to have reached this important stage in the process of developing the new hospital.
“These are exciting plans which will see a modern and purpose-built hospital developed, helping improve the quality of care for people in East Lothian.
“Staff have formed a key role in the design layout of the new building, and have influenced the outcome of the proposed plans of their departments and location within the building.
“We have also engaged extensively with over 300 local people, including neighbours close to the Roodlands site and valued their comments.”
NHS Lothian have been working with development partner Hub South East Scotland Ltd.
Paul McGirk, Chief Executive of Hub South East Scotland Ltd, said: “Hub South East has been supporting NHS Lothian in the initial planning of this project and we are excited to reach another key milestone, allowing us to further progress the development, design and construction of this much needed facility for East Lothian.
“We look forward to continuing this successful working relationship, helping NHS Lothian deliver on its strategic aims, and providing modern, fit-for-purpose health care facilities for local residents.”
The Outline Business Case for the project is being devised in tandem with the planning submission and this will set out exact costs, hospital services and timescales.
The project team would anticipate submitting the Outline Business Case for approval to the Scottish Government by early 2016.