Maintenance needed at sick kids hospital while replacement lies empty
More than £700,000 of "significant" maintenance work is needed at a children's hospital patients were due to move out of in July.
Last updated 7th Dec 2019
Ventilation and fire alarm systems are among the areas where work is needed at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh, according to information released by NHS Lothian in a Freedom of Information request (FOI).
Patients were due to transfer from the Victorian building to a new £150 million hospital in July but Health Secretary Jeane Freeman stepped in to postpone it days before the opening date due to safety issues over ventilation.
The building is now lying empty and it is estimated the delayed opening date of next autumn will cost an additional £16 million as a result of work required on the site to address the issues raised, as well as continued operation and improvements.
Now, the figures released through FOI show the total bill for maintenance at the existing hospital is £1.45 million, with £709,000 of the work classed as "significant".
Maintenance listed as significant includes work on ventilation, the fire alarm wiring system, water delivery, the roof and windows.
Ms Freeman has announced a joint inquiry into issues surrounding the delayed Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
George Curley, director of facilities, NHS Lothian, said, "A schedule of improvement and maintenance work is under way at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children.
"This will ensure that patients continue to receive first-class care in a space which is both comfortable and welcoming, while we wait to move in to our new facility.
"Despite the environmental challenges of a Victorian building, initial verbal feedback from a recent Health Improvement Scotland (HIS) inspection, which will be published in January, highlighted outstanding patient care and cleanliness of the existing facilities.
"In addition to the HIS inspection, an external audit was also carried out by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).
"This highlighted a number of areas that could be improved and which have been included within the schedule of works. SFRS are happy with the timeline of work, as well as progress already made.
"The ventilation systems have also been reviewed in line with recent changes to national guidelines.
"Although this guidance does not apply to existing facilities, our review outlined maintenance and upgrades that would be required if it was to apply."
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