Following reports on the projected cost of Edinburgh’s New Eye Pavilion, rising by more than £10m, Sarah Boyack, Scottish Labour MSP for Lothian, asked the First Minister “to reassure patients across the Lothians and South-East Scotland that Edinburgh’s Eye Pavilion will be priority for the Scottish Government.”
Sarah Boyack called on the Scottish Government to commit that Edinburgh’s Eye Pavilion will be delivered by 2027.
Nicola Sturgeon restated her government’s support for this project, she did not, however, confirm that the new Eye Pavilion will indeed be delivered by 2027, raising questions about the expected operational date.
Commenting Sarah Boyack MSP said: “ We’ve seen the impact of inflation and rising costs – it’s catastrophic for people, businesses and development projects.
“Although I welcome Nicola Sturgeon’s commitment to Edinburgh’s new Eye Pavilion, I find worrying that she was unable to confirm that the new eye hospital will indeed be delivered and ready for patients to use by 2027.
“We cannot afford to delay the construction of the new Eye Pavilion – delaying it is bad for people, staff and our NHS.
“We have yet to hear the answer to a simple question: will the Eye Pavilion will be open to the public by 2027?
“The FM and her Government must provide that commitment now.”