Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion: Scottish government's refusal to fund replacement is short-sighted – John McLellan

It would be understandable if the debacle of the still unopened Sick Kids hospital has put off the Scottish government from another big NHS Lothian building project, but on so many levels the decision to scupper the plan to build a replacement for the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion makes no sense.

Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion building on Chalmers Street was found to be unfit over five years ago (Picture: Greg Macvean)

Apart from the fact the Chalmers Street building was found to be unfit over five years ago, keeping its services separate from other clinical and teaching facilities at Little France maintains inefficiency; eye problems are often indicative of deeper health issues, so it’s preferable to have other medical disciplines close at hand.

It also encourages car passenger journeys into the city centre for people who might have difficulties with public transport if their vision has suddenly been impaired, and misses the chance to enhance the concentration of expertise in the Bio-Quarter which is key to the city’s economic growth.

And at a time when boosting the inner-city population should be a key part of the council’s new 20-minute neighbourhood strategy, the decision ties up public land which should be ideal for a council-led affordable homes development in the midst of the digital innovation hub, another key future economic driver.

With the cost of public borrowing at a record low, the £45m the Scottish government was due to spend looked like an excellent investment for the future, so the decision is even more hard to fathom.

It’s a very obvious gag, but pulling the plug is short-sighted no matter how you look at it.

John McLellan is a Conservative councillor for Craigentinny/Duddingston

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