NHS Lothian has released images of the planned new sexual health centre development set to open in 2010.

The images show just how new life is being given to the historic former Chalmers Hospital building in Edinburgh's Lauriston Place.

The plans outline the scale of new extensions which will totally transform the building, creating a city centre base for new integrated family planning and genitourinary medicines services designed to make it easier for people to access fast and effective care and advice.

Patients and the public helped NHS Lothian and the architect, Campbell and Arnott, develop the design of the new centre, and there will be continuing patient involvement in the process of developing the new integrated services in the new building.


David Small, general manager, Edinburgh Community Health Partnership, said: "We're grateful for the time people who use these services have taken to give us their views. We've taken account of their comments in the physical design and layout of the new centre."

At present family planning services and genito-urinary medicine are provided from a number of different locations.

Providing a "one stop shop" approach at the new sexual health centre should mean more convenient care for people, with their needs addressed by one member of staff.

The internal layout of waiting areas and clinic rooms was changed as a result of patient feedback. People can now leave the building after their consultation without having to go back through public areas, where other people may be waiting.

Dr Gordon Scott, lead clinician for service integration in sexual health, added: "Sexual health can be a sensitive area and we want to ensure people feel comfortable using our services and feel they can come forward for advice. We are on track to open as planned in 2010 and will continue to involve our patients as we develop our new integrated service further in coming months."

The £9m project involves the demolition of parts of the rear of the former Chalmers Hospital, a total refurbishment of the hospital's interior and a three storey extension to the south of the site. The extension will have a sedum roof.

(GK/JM)