Exterior building work on the £43.6m Royal Victoria Building has been completed after the last section of concrete was laid on the roof.

NHS Lothian’s Chairman, Dr Charles Winstanley, and Chief Operating Officer for Acute Services, Jackie Sansbury, placed the final concrete pour in the roof to complete the exterior shell of the building, less than one year on from the initial turf-cutting on the development.

The new facility, which will open in 2012, has been designed specially to meet the needs of elderly, rheumatology, and dermatology patients.

The purpose-built facility will provide the highest quality healthcare in a modern setting and will be the first of its kind in Scotland to provide 100 per cent single rooms for patients.

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It brings NHS Lothian’s vision for the future of elderly care services closer to becoming a reality.

Dr Charles Winstanley, Chairman, NHS Lothian, said: “Completing the exterior shell of the building is a key stage in the creation of this new purpose-built facility.

“Once completed next year, the Royal Victoria Building will become one of our flagship hospital buildings and will be the first of its kind in Scotland to provide single rooms for patients.”

The Royal Victoria Building is being built on the former Paderewski Building in the grounds of the Western General Hospital.

Cabinet Secretary Nicola Sturgeon cut the first turf on the project in June 2010.

It will provide services for patients aged 65 and over, rheumatology and dermatology patients. It will also include in-patient services as well as the medical day hospital.

The Paderewski building has been demolished to make way for the new era in healthcare.

The purpose-built facility is due to be completed in 2012.

(GK)