The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Cost of new hospital and centre jumps by £60m
The estimated cost of a new maternity hospital and cancer centre in Aberdeen has increased by almost £60 million and the facilities will open later than planned.
The Baird Family Hospital and The ANCHOR Centre Project were originally priced at £163.7m.
NHS Grampian said the estimated cost of the development at the Foresterhill Health Campus in Aberdeen is now £223.6 million.
The facilities were originally due to start welcoming patients next year but the ANCHOR Centre is now expected to open in 2022 and the Baird in 2023.
Board papers attributed the increase to factors including market conditions and inflation across the construction sector, and said earlier budget planning “did not sufficiently reflect the complexity of the project”.
The health board said another factor in the setback was a design review launched after construction issues led to safety concerns at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow and the new children’s hospital in Edinburgh.
The NHS Grampian board approved the plans yesterday and Scottish Government approval is now needed before construction can begin.
Professor Mike Greaves, clinical lead for ANCHOR, said: “This is a tremendous milestone and I am very proud of what has been achieved.
“The design process has focused upon the delivery of first class and efficient clinical care in an environment which ensures optimal patient comfort and privacy.
“In addition, the centre will house facilities for clinical research aimed at the development of improved treatment regimens, and dedicated conference and teaching areas.”
A government spokeswoman said: “It is entirely appropriate that the project was paused while an independent review of costs was undertaken.
“That review is now complete and, subject to the full business case being approved by the NHS Capital Investment Group, we would expect construction to start shortly.”