Reports of extra £90m ‘misleading’

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has said reports the new children’s hospital in Edinburgh will cost an extra £90 million are “inaccurate and misleading”.

The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh was due to open last month but was halted after final checks revealed the critical care unit’s ventilation system did not meet the necessary standards.

Ms Freeman, who stepped in to overrule NHS Lothian and block the hospital opening, has now said in a statement the timetable of work she set out in July is “on track”.

She said the cost for replacing the ventilation in the critical care unit of the empty hospital is not yet known.

She said: “Work by Health Protection Scotland and Health Facilities Scotland is now well under way and will give me the facts on which I will base any future decision about a timetable for the move.

“I expect to have a report on this in September. Once we have the facts about how we replace and improve the existing ventilation in the critical care unit, then we will have a cost associated.

“Reports a referencing a further £90 million for the new children’s hospital are inaccurate and misleading.

“To date, the only additional payment since this full business case was approved is the £11.6 million settlement agreement for drainage, which has already been reviewed by the external auditor at Audit Scotland’s request.

“The £80m figure contained within this for enabling and equipment works has never been part of the £150m contract for the hospital and was part of the approved business case.

“It is not a new or unexpected cost for the site or connected to the delay.”

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman.