Cole-Hamilton calls for statement on eye hospital closure

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, health spokesperson and MSP for Edinburgh Western Alex Cole-Hamilton has today called for the Scottish Government to deliver a statement in the Scottish Parliament on the closure of the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion.

It was announced last week that the Eye Pavilion, which provides ophthalmic care across Edinburgh and the Lothians, will close temporarily from Monday 28th October for six months while works on the plumbing system are carried out.

Campaigners including Mr Cole-Hamilton have long pushed for a replacement for the 55 year old Eye Pavilion building. However this replacement was cancelled in the most recent budget, alongside the majority of NHS construction projects which had not yet broken ground.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

While it is important that these works are carried out for the safety of all staff and patients, the fact is that operations are taking place in buildings that are no longer fit for purpose.

The SNP’s catastrophic and shortsighted decision to cancel the construction of a replacement eye hospital due to budget pressures showed a real lack of foresight.

An NHS construction consultant told me that if capital projects like the Eye Pavilion are not allowed to complete their pre-construction planning work, much of that work, amounting to millions of pounds of investment will be lost as these projects will go back to square one.

People across Edinburgh and the Lothians deserve to hear from ministers about the impact these closures will have and what steps will now be taken to ensure that they have access to care into the future.

I will continue to work with patients and campaigners to make the case for a purpose built replacement eye hospital.