Update on Royal Hospital for Children and Young People
Work to ensure compliance across site.
The second and final part of a review into compliance of all building systems at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) and Department of Clinical Neurosciences (DCN) has been published.
Concluding work ordered by Health Secretary Jeane Freeman in July, the latest NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) report focuses on fire systems, electrical systems and medical gases. This has identified remedial work required within fire and electrical systems prior to occupation and opportunities for other improvements.
The first part of the NSS review, which was published last month, outlined issues with ventilation and water systems which also need to be resolved.
NHS Lothian has published a response setting out a programme of activity to address the findings in the latest NSS report following an assessment of the work to be completed. A wider action plan bringing together both reports will follow in due course.
Last month, the Health Secretary announced a timeline for the phased move of services to the new RHCYP. The DCN is expected to move in spring 2020, with the rest of the hospital migrating to the new site in autumn next year.
Ms Freeman said:
“The safety and well-being of all patients and their families has always been and will remain top priority, and I am truly sorry for any impact the current situation has had on them.
“I’ve written to staff again today to keep them informed of the latest developments and to express my continuing gratitude for their dedication and professionalism. Over the past few months they have continued to provide high-quality clinical services and care in what have been very difficult and disappointing circumstances.
“This second report from NSS has identified remedial and improvement work required within the fire and electrical systems and that will be factored into a wider plan of work being taken forward to ensure safety at the RHCYP and DCN.
“As I set out in Parliament last month, I expect the DCN to move in spring 2020, with the rest of the Children’s Hospital migrating to the new site in autumn next year."
Background:
The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People Oversight Board is in place and has overall responsibility for ensuring the completion of the works and the hospital opening, reporting directly to the Cabinet Secretary.
The Oversight Board is chaired by the Scottish Government’s Chief Nursing Officer and includes senior figures from Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates, NHS National Services Scotland, Scottish Futures Trust and NHS Lothian.
Mary Morgan has been appointed Senior Programme Director, effective from Monday 16 September and will report directly to the Scottish Government. In this role, she has responsibility for the actions to ensure the facility is fit for occupation and will oversee the action plan to deliver a safe and complaint site for the RHCYP and DCN.
Following calls from affected parents, Ms Freeman announced a public inquiry to examine issues at the new RHCYP and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) sites. The inquiry will determine how issues relating to ventilation and other key building systems occurred, and what steps can be taken to prevent this being repeated.
As announced in Programme for Government, a new national body will also be created. This will have oversight for the design, planning, construction and maintenance of major NHS Scotland infrastructure developments.
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