Question reference: S5W-28817
- Asked by: Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 30 April 2020
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Current status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Jeane Freeman on 1 May 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the expected timescales for the opening of the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People.
Answer
I halted the move to the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in July 2019, on the utmost priority of patient safety. There continues to be significant positive progress which has led to NHS Lothian taking occupancy of the Department of Clinical Neurosciences in May.
I have been informed by NHS Lothian that due to complexities with the remaining work and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this has led to possible changes to the delivery of the programme of works to address the issues of patient safety in haemato – oncology. NHS Lothian is working closely with IHSL to ensure delivery of the programme as close to the timeframe of a full handover in Autumn 2020, but this timeframe is now under review. A refreshed programme is likely to be available during the second half of May and I will of course keep Parliament updated.