NHS Lothian has announced its construction partner in a major milestone for the new Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

The new £150m-plus hospital for children and young people will be designed and built by lead contractor BAM Construction Ltd to NHS Lothian’s design brief.

Jackie Sansbury, Director of Strategic Planning, NHS Lothian, said: "I am delighted to be able to announce this significant milestone in our journey to create a new world-class hospital for children and young people.

"NHS Lothian had a difficult choice to make and all of the five principal supply chain partners shortlisted made major efforts to respond appropriately to the needs and wishes of our patients and their families. We are confident that BAM Construction Ltd will help us deliver a landmark hospital to match the excellence of the services we aspire to provide."

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Ken McAlpine, Director of BAM Construction in Scotland, said: "It is BAM's ambition not simply to deliver world-class health facilities, but to do so considerately and in a way that involves and respects the community. It also is a unique opportunity to enhance the company’s healthcare presence."

The new hospital is part of NHS Lothian's ten year spending plans, which will see near - £1bn investment in new hospitals, health centres and infrastructure by March 2019.

BAM Construction Ltd will be working to a design brief compiled by NHS Lothian with extensive help from children, young people and families who have received care at the existing Victorian building.

The firm will be the lead contractor on the project, responsible for co-ordinating the architects, engineers and other partner companies involved in such large-scale public works.

Work will now begin on completing detailed architectural planning.

BAM Construction Ltd were asked to supply details of how they would meet NHS Lothian's aspirations for the new hospital to be both high-tech and homely as part of the selection process.

NHS Lothian's design brief puts the onus on ensuring children and young people in the new hospital have open views out from the building and access to green space, while at the same time providing a high percentage of single en-suite rooms and play and relaxation spaces for children, young people and their families.

The new hospital will be built at Little France, linked to but separate from the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

Construction will be funded by a mixture of NHS Lothian, Scottish Government and charitable contributions.

(GK/JM)