'No completion date' for Sick Kids hospital

NHS Lothian says there is no completion date for the new Sick Kids hospital.

The £150m has faced a string of set-backs and was originally due to open last year.

But new problems means developers have been unable to hand over the facility to the health board as planned last month.

Jim Crombie, NHS Lothian's deputy chief executive, said: "The handover is subject to a satisfactory inspection by Arcadis UK, the independent tester whose role is to determine whether the building meets the specification commissioned by NHS Lothian.

"Following their recent inspection the independent tester has now reported they are unable to sign off the building as complete, finding that it does not yet meet all the required specifications.

"We are naturally very disappointed and are liaising with our contractual partner IHSL ltd and their building contractors, Multiplex, to agree a timeline for completion of the outstanding works as a matter of urgency.

"Patients, their families and our staff can be assured of our determination to ensure delivery of the world class facility they deserve.

"We know all concerned will share our disappointment at a further delay and we thank them for their continued patience.