The Scottish Government has approved the outline business case
for the 842 million pounds project which will see an integrated
children's and adult hospital built on the site of the current
Southern General Hospital.
Speaking to the STUC conference in Inverness, First Minister
Alex Salmond said:
"This Scottish Government is determined to get value for money
for the public purse and that is exactly what this deal
represents.
"By funding the entire project through public finance, we are
ensuring it is deliverable, affordable, sustainable and represents
best value for money for the taxpayer.
"Not only that, but patients throughout the West of Scotland
will reap the benefits of single-site hospital care, providing
seamless and specialised treatment.
"And the NHS Board have worked closely with the Carbon Trust to
ensure that the proposed building and transport links are
sustainable - a significant and positive contribution to Scotland's
economy and environment. "
Key benefits of the New Southern Hospital project will
include:
- Single rooms for all patients
- Maternity, paediatric and adult acute services on one site
- Simplifying the journey for patients from diagnosis to
treatment
Public Health Minister Shona Robison, who today visited the
Southern General, said:
"With services for all ages - from maternity to paediatric and
adult - on a single site, patients will be able to get immediate
access to a wider range of specialist services for adults, children
and babies alike.
"By increasing efficiency and streamlining services, patients
can look forward to shorter waiting times and better continuity of
care.
"Single rooms for all patients will not just provide patients
with greater privacy but will also be a major step forward in
infection control.
"This will be the largest single investment in health services
ever undertaken in Scotland and will transform healthcare for both
patients and staff. It also has the potential to regenerate and
breathe new life into Govan, Glasgow, and the wider community of
the west of Scotland."
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is providing £270 million towards
the project, with £20 million from locally held endowments and the
balance of £552 million provided by the Scottish Government.
The New Southern Hospital project is a key component of NHS
Greater Glasgow and Clyde's proposals to modernise acute health
services in Glasgow.
The proposal will see a new 1,109 bed adult hospital built
alongside a 240 bed children's hospital. The adult hospital will
provide acute in-patient care, some medical day cases and
out-patient clinics. Day surgery will be carried out at the New
Victoria Hospital. The new children's hospital will provide
accident and emergency services as well as the full range of
in-patient and day case paediatric services.
A new laboratory will also be built, providing biochemistry,
haematology, blood transfusion and mortuary services.
Approximately 630 beds will be retained on the existing Southern
site within the Institute of Neurological Services, maternity,
spinal injuries and Langlands buildings. The Langlands facility
provides older people's services and services for the young
physically disabled.