Work on Edinburgh's new Sick Kids hospital to finish in January
The project's been hit with a series of delays
Last updated 2nd Sep 2020
The final completion date for Edinburgh's new Sick Kids hospital has been pushed back again - to January 2021.
The project to build the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People Edinburgh at Little France has been plagued by delays, including when last-minute checks found problems with the new building's ventilation in the Summer of 2019.
The latest estimate for it's completion was in Autumn of this year, but health bosses had previously warned the coronavirus crisis could threaten that.
Outpatient services have already moved from the current Sick Kids on Sciennes Road, with the health board now expected to set out a timetable for other services to move.
Susan Goldsmith, NHS Lothian Finance Director and Executive Lead for the Project said: "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.
"I know I am not alone, in looking forward to seeing all of our Children’s Services together in the fantastic new facility that is the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People.
"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 -which is also based in the new building - completed its move of outpatient and inpatient services in July 2020.
The series of difficulties with the project will be examined as part of a public inquiry - along with Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “Despite the impact of COVID-19, positive progress has been made with the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, including Neurophysiology and Diagnostic Radiology, moving in May as promised and the majority of outpatient services moving in early July.
“We now have a confirmed date for safe completion of the final areas of the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People of January 2021.
“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.”
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