Opening of £150m children’s hospital is delayed for another two months

The opening of Edinburgh’s new children’s hospital has been delayed for another two months.

The £150 million Royal Hospital for Children and Young People at Little France was initially due to open this autumn, only to be delayed until next February or March.

That date will be put back again until May next year at the earliest, to avoid staff and patient relocation over Easter.

“Families, parents and patients across the Lothians and eastern Scotland will be deeply disappointed and frus- 0 Miles Briggs says people will be disappointed trated at this,” said Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary Miles Briggs.

“This appears to be yet another delay to the opening of a vital new hospital facility, despite NHS Lothian guaran- teeing that it would open next spring.”

Plans for new hospital were drawn up ten years ago and it was supposed to be open by the winter of 2012, only to be held up by a protracted land swap deal.

Other problems included partner firms running into financial difficulties and poor winter weather hindering building work.

NHS Lothian’s health board said it was putting back the opening date to ensure the “safe and effective” opening of the hospital.

Builders are still expected to complete the state-of-the-art centre by October.