Carrick Glen Hospital near Ayr has refurbishment halted by Scottish Government
Plans to upgrade Carrick Glen Hospital into a National Treatment Centre specialising in orthopaedics have been put on hold by the Scottish Government
Last updated 19th Feb 2024
NHS Ayrshire and Arran bought the private Carrick Glen Hospital for £1.8 million in March 2022.
It was due to be converted to a National Treatment Centre specialising in orthopaedics as part of a Scottish Government plan to renew hospitals and surgeries across the country.
At least a dozen NHS Scotland construction projects have now been delayed or paused as a result of government budget pressures.
First Minister Humza Yousaf told West FM, “We’re facing a ten percent cut in our capital budget by the UK Government.”
“I wish I could tell your listeners that a ten percent cut from the Westminster Government to our capital budget would have no impact or affect – I’m afraid it does.”
“So we’re having to look at our capital infrastructure projects to see what we can bring forward.”
Claire Burden, Chief Executive of NHS Ayrshire and Arran confirmed that,
“Capital budgets remain at 2023/24 level and no new capital projects will be funded by Scottish Government over the next two years at least.”
“This means that the National Treatment Centre planned for Carrick Glen Hospital will not progress over the next two years.”
According to the NHS Ayrshire and Arran website, the median wait time for patients seeking orthopaedic treatment is 30 weeks.
Claire Burden continued, “The overall number of patients on the orthopaedic waiting list has remained static at around 3,000 patients since May 2022 when the service remobilised following the Covid-19 pandemic.”
“The service is currently focusing on reducing the number of patients waiting more than 18 months, which is currently approximately 130 patients.”
“We had started to recruit staff with the expectation of a completion date of the NTC by 2025. These staff are supporting the existing workloads at both University Hospitals Ayr and Crosshouse.”
Neil Gray, who replaced Michael Matheson as Health Secretary last week has pledged to drive down waiting times in Scotland.
The Glen Carrick Hospital was to specialise in orthopaedics as part a £400 million investment in 10 new Treatment Centres across the country.
It was hoped the refurb would play a pivotal role in reducing waiting times for Ayrshire patients.
Elena Whitham, the MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley told West FM, “The economic vandalism inflicted upon the country by the Conservatives in Westminster means that the Scottish Government finds itself in the most challenging fiscal circumstances in the history of devolution.
“This means tough decisions must be taken in regard to Capital spending which has faced a real-term cut in funding.”
“I understand how pivotal the Carrick Glen facility will be to reducing waiting lists and I will continue to press for its completion.”
“The SNP are committed to tackling NHS waiting times and improving patient care. I look forward to updates from the Scottish Government on its further plans.”
Other NHS Scotland projects paused of facing delays include a replacement for Monklands Hospital in Airdrie and a National Treatment Centre in Cumbernauld.
NHS boards were told by the Scottish Government that building work on new projects could be paused for up to two years due to the budget squeeze.