The consortium behind the construction of the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh has said it is "reviewing the construction timetable for the project".

A revised programme is yet to be submitted by IHS Lothian Ltd, but in a statement, NHS Lothian said said it expects the facility will not now open to patients until spring 2018. The building was previously scheduled to open in autumn 2017.

The delay comes after two of the companies working on the £150m hospital build entered into administration and provisional liquidation, respectively, resulting in a temporary pause to their work streams. Progress has also been affected by unfavourable winter weather and unavoidable technical construction problems.

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Jim Crombie, Acting Chief Executive, NHS Lothian, said: "We will continue to work closely with IHS Lothian Ltd to ensure that our state of the art new hospital is delivered as soon as possible.

"Projects of this scale and, of this nature, are very rarely straightforward and bring with them many complex and sometimes unavoidable challenges. It is important to note that these alterations to the construction timetable will not result in any additional costs to NHS Lothian.

"Whilst this change is frustrating for our patients and staff, we must not forget that construction of this impressive new building is continuing and that much work has already been achieved.

"In addition, the project has already created a host of new entrant jobs for local people, including apprentices and graduate opportunities."

A revised construction programme from IHS Lothian Ltd is expected in October.

Building work is continuing on site.

(JP)