Edinburgh eye hospital to close for six months for ‘essential’ works

An Edinburgh eye hospital will close for about six months while “essential” works on the plumbing system are carried out, NHS Lothian has announced.

Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion (PAEP) will  close temporarily from Monday October 28, while workers replace two waste pipes and remove asbestos from a sealed pipework cavity.

The health authority said appointments will be moved to other NHS Lothian sites during this period, and that all patients affected will be contacted “in good time” with details of their new appointments.

NHS Lothian added that the measure was necessary to protect patients, staff and visitors at the Lauriston Place site.

Jim Crombie, deputy chief executive of NHS Lothian, said: “We are very sorry for the inconvenience this will cause our patients and it is not a decision we have taken lightly.

“Whilst patients and staff are not at risk, the work is essential and the advice we have received from our contractors is that this can be done more speedily and safely if the building is temporarily vacated.

“Patient and staff safety are always our chief consideration. Our teams are working hard to minimise disruption and to ensure patients continue to be seen and treated throughout this period.”

NHS Lothian said the vast majority of patients due to be seen at PAEP between now and Friday October 25 will be unaffected, but that any whose appointments are affected will be contacted by their clinical teams at least two weeks in advance of their appointment date.

Those with appointments booked from Monday October 28 will be contacted by letter, text or both in good time to arrange their new appointments, starting with those with appointments booked for the week commencing October 28.

Mr Crombie added: “We are really grateful to all of our patients for their patience and understanding.

“I would like to reassure them they do not need to do anything. All affected patients will be being contacted with details of the new location of their appointment.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton said the closure represents a “massive blow” to campaigners and patients, and that it is a “real setback”.

He added: “It is important that these works are carried out for the safety of all staff and patients.

“Earlier this year, the SNP paused the construction of a replacement eye hospital due to budget pressures.

“Today’s news illustrates that this was a decision lacking in foresight.

“The SNP’s financial decisions are a mess of their own making. Patients and staff shouldn’t be made to pick up the pieces.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “NHS Lothian has been clear that the temporary closure of the Eye Pavilion is necessary to allow urgent maintenance of waste pipes to be carried out as safely and efficiently as possible.

“The board has confirmed there is no risk to patients ahead of the start of the remedial works and they are working to minimise disruption during the closure, including using alternative sites for appointments.

“Due to significant increases in construction costs due to inflation, and a lower than expected capital grant from the UK Government, a capital review is currently under way and all due consideration will be given to which projects can be included within the revised plan to ensure it is affordable and deliverable.

“Alongside this, we are working with all NHS boards to develop a whole-system infrastructure plan which reflects on the needs for the whole of Scotland – this will support continued safe operation of existing facilities as well as determination of longer term investment priorities.”