New Sick Kids hospital to open in mid-July

Edinburgh's new Sick Kids hospital will now open in mid-July.

Bosses at NHS Lothian announced the update at a public session during the health boards annual review today (Monday).

The development at Little France was originally due to open in 2017 but has faced a series of set-backs. The majority of the delays have been down to problems with ventilation, fire detection and drainage.

Now bosses hope to move patients over from the old building on Scienes Road to the new building this summer. However, they say this depends on an assessment due back this month.

Chief Executive Tim Davison said: "We have made significant progress in agreeing a work plan for completion of outstanding works on the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and Department of Clinical Neuroscience that is nearing completion. An independent assessment of its readiness is due this month. If the assessment confirms the building is ready for handover we will be aiming to open the new hospital this Summer. This allows for a normal commissioning period to fit out the hospital with equipment, conduct orientation training for staff and so on.

"It is well documented that construction of this building has been subject to delay due to a range of different factors over the life of the project. A significant factor has been our need to ensure that the design and build meets our detailed requirements and we have been working closely with our partners and their building contractors to gain those assurances. Hospitals are sophisticated environments and whilst we recognise that the delay has been disappointing for patients and staff alike, we remain committed to that principle."