HEALTH Secretary Jeane Freeman has requested additional checks on drainage at the delayed children’s hospital in Edinburgh after safety concerns were raised.
The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh was due to open last month but final checks revealed the critical care unit’s ventilation system did not meet the necessary standards.
Freeman said in mid-July that water and drainage systems at the site would also be assessed before a time frame for the transfer of patients could be established.
A union official suggested over the weekend that drainage issues have led to concerns the building may have to be “ripped down”.
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Asked about drainage problems on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme yesterday, Freeman said:
“I have asked for a number of other critical areas of the existing new hospital site to be double-checked to make sure they are compliant with all standards, and that will include drainage.
“As far as both those involved in addressing the issue and the board are concerned, the issue has been resolved. But I have asked for those additional checks, along with others – not just on drainage – to be made so I can be sure that every aspect of that hospital that relates to patient safety and staff safety, that I have the additional assurance that they are all compliant with the relevant standards.”
It has emerged that NHS Lothian is handing over around £1.4 million a month to developers Integrated Health Solutions Lothian (IHSL) despite the fact the hospital is not yet operational.
KPMG is carrying out an investigation into the delays, while Scottish Labour has called for a public inquiry.
Freeman said: “I’ve been very careful to make sure local MSPs and MPs are kept informed with everything I have done so far and I will inform them as the information becomes available.”
READ MORE: Jeane Freeman under fire for NHS sick kids delay
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