Edinburgh eye hospital: New call for shovels in the ground as soon as possible after minister confirms 6-year timetable
There must be "shovels in the ground" as soon as possible for Edinburgh's promised new eye hospital, Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has demanded.
His call came as Health Secretary Neil Gray confirmed that under the current timetable, the new hospital, to be built close to the Royal Infirmary at Little France, would not be ready for six years.
But Mr Cole-Hamilton, who is MSP for Edinburgh Western said patients could not wait until 2031 for the new building, which will replace the existing Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion in Chalmers Street after it was declared no longer fit for purpose in 2014.
The Scottish Government originally approved a replacement hospital in 2018, but then cancelled it, only to be forced into a U turn during the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections.
The plans were put on hold in 2023 as part of a government freeze on major projects, before Finance Secretary Shona Robison announced in December 2024 it would go ahead. The Lib Dems claimed credit for securing the funding as part of their budget negotiations with the Scottish Government.
But in March this year, the Evening News revealed the timeline for the project would not see it completed until 2031.
The current Eye Pavilion had to close temporarily for eight months towards the end of last year for urgent plumbing repairs and removal of asbestos. And there have been persistent concerns about lifts breaking down and leaks in the roof.
Mr Cole-Hamilton said: "I know from working closely with campaigners pressing for a replacement for the Edinburgh Eye Pavilion that staff can work more efficiently and effectively if they have the right facilities available.
"I was pleased to secure a commitment to replacing the Edinburgh Eye Pavilion in budget negotiations but patients should not have to wait six years to see it completed.
"We need to get shovels in the ground as soon as possible. My party will keep the pressure on the government to deliver a cutting-edge facility swiftly so that everyone waiting for eyecare can get the support they need.”
In reply to a parliamentary question from Mr Cole-Hamilton on what progress had been made with the new hospital and when it would open, Mr Gray said: “The Scottish Government has confirmed that the replacement of the Edinburgh eye pavilion is a strategic priority, and the 2025-26 Budget provides the necessary funding to allow the development of the business case.
“NHS Lothian has been asked to progress the business case and development of the design and timeline will form part of this work, which will take time. During an update to stakeholders in March, NHS Lothian advised an estimated timeline of 6 years.
“It is usual for the business case process, construction and commissioning to take a number of years and there will be greater clarity on timeline once the business case process is complete.”