The hospital building, which opened in 1971, will be transformed to include a £5m University of Glasgow and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Clinical Research Facility (CRF), on the 5th floor of the neurosciences building, a new neuro-physiology department and the creation of brand new state-of-the-art operating theatres.

A new Imaging Centre of Excellence (ICE), led by the University of Glasgow and funded as part of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley City Deal, will include a world-leading £7m ultra high-field MRI scanner, creating a research facility which will be unique in the UK.

In addition, there will be a massive external makeover of the neurosciences building, a new purpose built day treatment unit for patients receiving treatment for ongoing neurological conditions, and a redesigned and redevelopment of ward 66 to provide facilities incorporating flexible use clinical rooms, pre-assessment, a 19 bedded same-day-admission and day surgery unit and a discharge lounge.

The development work represents a total investment of more than £40m between 2013 and 2017.

Health secretary Shona Robison said: “This is a substantial investment that will bring real benefits for patients. It is an exciting project that will update and modernise neuroscience facilities in Glasgow so that they are truly world class and at the cutting edge of the latest technology. It demonstrates our commitment to provide the very best environment and facilities for patients and medical staff across our NHS. That is exactly why we are investing over £12bn in our health service this year for the first time on record, ensuring improvements like these can go ahead.”

Robert Calderwood, NHSGGC chief executive, said: “This tremendous neurosciences modernisation and development programme, in partnership with the University of Glasgow, will give our patents and staff access to the highest quality of theatre, ward, research and imaging facilities.

“Normally NHS facilities built in the 60s would be getting to the end of their lives by this point but these exciting developments will return this building to a state-of-the-art neurosciences centre once more.”