Scottish Labour: Audit Scotland report into sick kids hospital raises more questions 

Monica Lennon

The audit was completed before the ventilation issues with the new hospital came to light. 

The report states that migration of hospital services to the new facility had been expected on the 5 July, with full service planned to commence on the 15 July 2019. 

The hospital has yet to open amidst safety concerns with the fabric and design of the building. 

The report also recommends that the post-project evaluation should go further and encompass a review of the contracting process with learning for the whole NHS – adding weight to Scottish Labour’s calls for a public inquiry. 

Scottish Labour Health Spokesperson Monica Lennon said the report raised more questions than answers, and called again on the SNP government to launch a public inquiry. 

Scottish Labour Health spokesperson Monica Lennon said: “The government has clearly known for some time about the serious issues around governance and problems with the progress of the contract for the new Sick Kids hospital Edinburgh. 

“With the publication of today’s report, it begs the questions of why the Health Secretary hasn’t previously mentioned it and how the situation has been allowed to progress to this stage. 

“We are learning more about this scandal by the day, and events have now moved on even from when this audit report was signed off earlier in the summer. 

“More questions than answers remain and ultimately the buck stops with Jeane Freeman.

“Concerns raised by trade union officials that the new Edinburgh Sick Kids could be ripped down before it even opens are unthinkable, and a public inquiry must get underway.”