NHS Lothian has appointed Kier as the Principal Supply Chain Partner to build the new Eye Hospital in Edinburgh.
The new specially designed multi-million pound building at the BioQuarter at Little France will replace the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion on Lauriston Place which had to close last year for refurbishment. The new centre is also next to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and the Simpson Centre for Reproductive Health and other University of Edinburgh clinical research facilities.
The centre is being described as a “hub of excellence” and will provide specialist services including surgical retinal services, paediatric surgery and neuro-ophthalmology for patients from NHS Borders, Tayside and Fife, as well as Lothian.
In their election manifesto Sight Scotland says that more than 230,000 people could be living with sight loss by 2035 which is a 27% increase on today’s numbers. One of their demands is that the next Scottish Government will take urgent action to repair Scotland’s crumbling eye health infrastructure including delivering on the replacement Eye Hospital in Edinburgh.
Jim Crombie, Deputy Chief Executive, NHS Lothian, said: “We are pleased to appoint Kier as our Principal Supply Chain Partner and take the next step in the process towards opening a new eye hospital in Lothian.
“We are delighted that the hospital is becoming a reality and that makes this milestone even more exciting. I would like to thank our teams for their commitment and endurance throughout the planning of this project – I know this step will mean a great deal to them.
“Our teams in the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion have a world-class reputation for their innovation, treatment, patient safety and care, but the building no longer supports them or the thousands of surgical, inpatients and outpatients who attend each year.
“This new state-of-the-art facility will allow our magnificent teams to continue providing the exceptional patient care and treatment they are renowned for.”
Sean Fenner, Managing Director, Kier Construction North & Scotland, said: “We are proud to be the Principal Supply Chain Partner for NHS Lothian to deliver early construction works at the new Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion – a new Centre of Excellence that will transform eye care for patients across the region.
“Our team brings unrivalled expertise, shaped by landmark projects such as the NHS Golden Jubilee Eye Hospital and Sunderland Eye Infirmary, and informed by best practice from leading ophthalmic centres in the UK and internationally.
“Working in partnership with NHS Lothian, we will create an environment that enhances patient experience, empowers staff and establishes a new standard of excellence in ophthalmic care across Scotland.”
