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Sep 2020
Spreadsheet mistake led to opening delay of Edinburgh hospital
A new report has revealed that a spreadsheet error started a series of events that delayed the opening of a £150m hospital.
Last-minute ventilation issues prevented the opening of Edinburgh’s new children’s hospital in July 2019, the mistake being missed in what auditors describe as a “collective failure”.
It was only following the hospital’s being handed over to NHS Lothian and £1.4m monthly repayments had begun, that independent checks found the critical care rooms were operating with the wrong air flow.
Remedial work at a cost of £16m has started to be carried out and outpatient appointments began in July. However, the hospital’s full opening date, which was previously scheduled for the autumn, is under review in light of the coronavirus crisis.
NHS Lothian have said they had made a number of recommendations for improvement in the report to “ensure that future capital projects will benefit.”
The Trust’s chief executive Calum Campbell, said “Recommendations in relation to decision making, clarity, clinical engagement and involvement of external advisers have been made.
“Some areas identified have already been addressed and others will be implemented within the agreed timeframes to ensure that future capital projects will benefit.
“The Department of Clinical Neurosciences and children’s outpatient services have already settled into their new home and we are looking forward to the full opening as soon as possible.”
Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.
If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.
Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
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