NHS Grampian Baird Family Hospital and ANCHOR Centre costs soar
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WORK to deliver a new north-east maternity hospital and cancer centre has taken a step forward – but the latest cost estimate has jumped by £10 million.
NHS Grampian's plans for the Baird Family Hospital and ANCHOR Centre, at Aberdeen's Foresterhill Health Campus, was originally estimated at £163.7 million, rising later to £223.6 million.
However, the revised project forecast is now sitting at £233.2 million after taking into account coronavirus delays.
The full business case is now being formally considered for approval by the Scottish Government before building can begin.
NHS Grampian hopes construction can get under way in January next year.
The Baird Family Hospital, expected to open in winter 2023, will replace Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, and offer breast screening, breast surgery and gynaecology services.
The ANCHOR Centre, expected to open in spring 2023, will create a single facility for all patients using haematology, oncology and radiotherapy day and out-patient services.
Both buildings will include state-of-the-art research and teaching facilities.
Project director Jackie Bremner said: "This is an extremely exciting and important milestone which will allow the project to move to construction. It is also the result of six years of hard work for hundreds of people including clinical staff, patients, and members of the public, designers and construction colleagues.
"These magnificent new facilities will benefit patients and their families for many years to come.
"The development of the Baird Family Hospital and the ANCHOR Centre will change the Westburn Road face of the Foresterhill Health Campus in Aberdeen and support the delivery of modern, high-quality health services for the people of Grampian and the north of Scotland for many years to come."
Dr Mike Munro, clinical lead for the Baird Family Hospital, said: "In light of the pandemic, the Baird Family Hospital will mean all the more when it opens its doors and welcomes its first patient.
"It will truly symbolise everything the NHS stands for and reward all the efforts of the staff and patient groups involved."
