The project to build a major new clinical facility in Edinburgh has reached another significant milestone.
Planning permission has this week been granted by the City of Edinburgh Council for the new co-located Royal Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Clinical Neurosciences next to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
The project will see services from the Royal Hospital for Sick Children; the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, currently based at the Western General Hospital; and the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service from the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, brought together in a high-quality, modern and fit-for-purpose facility.
Construction work is expected to start later this year, with the hospital becoming operational in the summer of 2017.
Susan Goldsmith, director of finance and project sponsor at NHS Lothian, said: “This announcement marks another major milestone in this exciting project.
“The development will prove significant in shaping the future of care by bringing children’s, maternity and adult services together on the same site. It will build on the existing centre of excellence, creating a major trauma centre and providing opportunities for sharing experience, expertise and research.”
The new facility will be constructed on the site of car park B at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and will be joined to the existing hospital by a link building between child and adult emergency departments.
John Ballantyne, bid director at contractor, Integrated Health Solutions Lothian, said: “Integrated Health Solutions Lothian is delighted to be part of the delivery team for this exciting development where we will design, build, finance and maintain the new Royal Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Clinical Neurosciences. We look forward to working together with NHS Lothian to deliver this major healthcare facility”
Work on the new hospital is anticipated to start by the end of the year once financial close is achieved and the Scottish Government approve the Full Business Case for the project.
The development will be delivered by Brookfield Multiplex Construction Europe, with Bouygues E&S FM UK as FM provider.