The Royal Hospital for Sick Children (the Sick Kids) has now closed its doors at Sciennes and all patients have moved to the new building at Little France right next to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

The new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People has been open for some outpatient services since last July and earlier this year the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) inpatient facilities all moved to the new site.

There was a delay in opening in July 2019 when the ventilation system in the critical care unit was discovered to have failings. The £150 million campus was then mothballed while remedial works were carried out. A public inquiry into the Edinburgh project and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow built by the same construction firm began in August 2020 under the chairmanship of Lord Brodie. It is charged with considering the planning and construction of the two hospitals, issues around ventilation, water contamination and whether the buildings provide “a suitable environment for the delivery of safe, effective person-centred care. The Inquiry will make recommendations to ensure that any past mistakes are not repeated in future NHS infrastructure projects.” On 18 March Lord Brodie met with legal representatives for Core Participants to update on progress and set out priorities ahead of the September hearings which will begin on 20 September 2021. The first formal hearing will be on 22 June when arrangements and procedures will be set out for the autumn sessions.

Fiona Mitchell, Service Director, Women’s and Children’s Services, NHS Lothian, said, “The Royal Hospital for Children and Young people is such a fantastic facility for patients, their families and our staff. This move has been much anticipated and I am delighted that we can now call this amazing space our new home.”

The public are reminded that children’s A&E at Sciennes is now closed. All patients and any child or young person requiring access to A&E, must now go to the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People at Little France. 

Fiona Mitchell, added, “The Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Sciennes may have closed its doors for the final time, but the same amazing teams are on hand at our incredible new facilities at Little France to offer care, treatment and support to children and young people up to the age of 16.”

The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People is located at 50 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ. 

For more information on how to access The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and the facilities that are available visit – children.nhslothian.scot

In an emergency, dial 999. 

The Sick Kids has now closed and everyone has moved to the new building in Little France.
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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
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