by Gordon Lindhurst MSP

The saga surrounding the new sick children’s hospital in Edinburgh shows no signs of abating. 

We now have no guarantees from the SNP’s Health Secretary Jeane Freeman when it will open at all, leaving families and staff completely in the dark.

While it is absolutely right that issues surrounding the site and building are investigated, the buck has to stop with the Health Secretary and NHS Lothian who appear to have taken their eye off the ball regarding the planned new hospital.

Gordon Lindhurst – Pic – Andrew Cowan/Scottish Parliament

With costs threatening to spiral out of control, including NHS Lothian paying £1.4m every month for use of the building, the Government and the Health Board have not been anywhere nearly as transparent as they should be regarding a facility which should have been providing so many benefits to youngsters and families across the city.

With years already spent on this project, people will rightly be asking why issues were not spotted well before it was due to open.

The need for a full Scottish Parliament inquiry is evident to get the answers for families and staff that are long overdue.

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