A topping-out ceremony has been held to mark a key milestone in the construction of the new £48m first-phase redevelopments at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital campus.
One year after visiting the site to mark the start of construction, Health Secretary, Shona Robison MSP, returned to celebrate reaching the highest point of the new development.
The vast programme of works at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital campus, which started in January 2015, will see the entire site transformed over the coming years with modern and fit-for-purpose facilities.
Phase one redevelopments include new accommodation for the adult acute mental health inpatient service, older people’s mental health assessment, Intensive Psychiatric Care Service (IPCU), and the new Robert Fergusson National Brain Injury Unit.
Robison said: “It’s fantastic to see the progress that has been made on this project in just one short year.
“Today’s topping-out ceremony takes us one step closer to seeing these vital new mental health facilities becoming a reality.
“This £48m first-phase redevelopment will bring new, fit-for-purpose specialist mental health facilities for people living both in the Lothians and across Scotland.
The new Robert Fergusson National Brain Injury Unit will ensure Scotland continues to be at the forefront of providing specialist therapeutic and rehabilitation services to patients who have suffered a brain injury.
“I look forward to seeing this project nearing completion over the next few months and know that both patients and staff will soon be able to reap the rewards of these wonderful new facilities.”
Tim Davison, chief executive of NHS Lothian, added: “We are delighted to see this exciting project progressing so well on site.
“Seeing the buildings taking shape makes it all seem very real for our patients and staff. These modern and purpose-built mental health facilities will open within the next year and, having been shaped with the views of our patients, will allow our staff to continue to provide safe, effective acute care and rehabilitation.
“We are focused on delivering high-quality mental health services to our patients and this major investment forms part of our wider commitment to improving quality in this area.”
The development is being delivered by Hub South East Scotland, NHS Lothian’s development partner, and Morrison Construction.
Eddie Robertson, Morrison’s regional director, said: “People can now appreciate the size of the new hospital and this is creating a lot of fresh interest in the project in the local community and among staff, who will be delivering mental health services from the new wards.
“Progress on the site is continuing to gather momentum and works on the internal fit out and courtyard landscaping are well underway.”
Work on site is progressing well and is on schedule to be handed over later this year.
