John Swinney has been urged to “stop sitting on the sidelines” and visit the site of Aberdeen’s new maternity hospital after its opening date was hit by further delays.
At First Minister’s Questions, North East MSP Tess White called on Swinney to “see the mounting problems for himself” after it was announced the Baird Family Hospital would open seven years late.
The state-of-the-art facility will now not be operational until 2027 – seven years after it was originally planned to open and 13 years after the plans were given the go ahead.
The project’s cost is now expected to exceed £260 million, around £100 million more than the original budget.
Ms White said the repeated delays, caused by ventilation issues, should be a “source of shame” for the Scottish Government.
At First Minister’s Questions, she told John Swinney: “Aberdeen’s new maternity hospital is facing further delays, more than a decade after it was first given the go ahead.
“The Baird Family Hospital was originally planned to open in 2020, but more setbacks have meant it may not be finished until 2027 at the earliest – that’s seven years late.
“Millions of taxpayers’ money has been spent on rectifying design flaws.
“Local women are paying the price for this incompetence, while staff are struggling to cope with rising waiting times for maternity services, gynaecology, breast screening, and breast surgery.
“First Minister, will you engage with NHS Grampian and visit the site to see for yourself the problems causing these delays?”
In his response, John Swinney said: “I understand the significance of the points that Tess White raises.
“Obviously, the safety of NHS facilities is absolutely essential.
“The design phase of the Baird has taken place when we have encountered issues raised about hospital constructions that have been completed in other parts of Scotland.
“I totally accept the importance of these services being available for Tess White’s constituents, but we have to be mindful of the safety considerations that must be applied in all cases.”
Afterwards, Scottish Conservative North East MSP Tess White said: “These delays should be a source of shame for the Scottish Government, which has been missing in action on this vital project.
“At the heart of this our local women whose health and wellbeing are being put at risk by the repeated setbacks.
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“John Swinney must stop sitting on the sidelines, and see the mounting problems for himself.
“It is vital he meets both NHS Grampian and the contractor to ensure these delays are put to an end once and for all.”
