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Nicola Sturgeon, Cabinet Secretary, has buried a time capsule of memories in the foundations of one of the biggest laboratories in the world – at the new Southern General Hospital.
Ms Sturgeon was joined by NHS staff, and pupils and teachers from local schools, who contributed to the items in the capsule.
The time capsule celebrates the achievements of healthcare sciences staff from the past and their hopes and aspirations for the future.
In the time capsule was a range of items including a number of videos with healthcare science staff, images of local pupils learning about genetics and microbiology, construction images of the new laboratory, a patient’s story, various pieces of science equipment, leaflets and posters.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "The time capsule project is a terrific way to get children and the local community involved in thinking about the important role of science in healthcare, and to celebrate the important role which healthcare scientists play in our NHS.
"Once open, this new facility will bring together a whole range of laboratory services under one roof and provide NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde with a modern purpose-built facility which will play a key role in supporting the New South Glasgow Hospitals Campus site."
Covering an area of approximately 25,000 square metres over five storeys, the new lab block will serve the whole of the south of Glasgow when opened next year.
It will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology to deliver diagnostic services for the following specialities – biochemistry, haematology, microbiology, genetics and histology.
Robert Calderwood, Chief Executive, NHSGGC said: "The items that are being buried reflect where we are today in terms of modern laboratory medicine and even indicate what laboratories of the future might look like.
"The opening of this new laboratory next year signifies the way forward for laboratory medicine and we have been delighted to work with the local community to bring together items that celebrate the achievements of health sciences."
