PROBLEMS with the fire and electrical systems have been found at a new hospital which has been lying empty due to safety concerns.

The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) in Edinburgh was due to open in July but this has been delayed until next autumn.

The opening of the flagship building was postponed just days before it was due to start treating patients after final checks revealed the critical care department’s ventilation system did not meet national standards.

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The delay is expected to come at an additional estimated cost of £16 million as a result of work required on the site to address the issues raised, as well as continued operation and improvements. A new report has now found work is also needed on the fire and electrical systems. But this is not expected to affect the current timetable which should see the Department of Clinical Neurosciences (DCN) moving to the new site in spring, followed by the rest of the children’s hospital in autumn. The National Services Scotland (NSS) review found problems with the electricity systems, including a need for mitigation to avoid the failure of the single electrical supply to critical equipment such as life support systems.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “The safety and wellbeing of all patients and their families has always been and will remain top priority, and I am truly sorry for any impact the current situation has had on them. This second report from NSS has identified remedial and improvement work required within the fire and electrical systems and that will be factored into a wider plan of work being taken forward to ensure safety at the RHCYP and DCN.”