'Five-star' city health clinic hit by £500k legal wrangle

Published on Thursday 5 November 2009 08:52

A MEDICAL practice touted as Scotland's first "five-star" private healthcare clinic is at the centre of a £500,000 legal wrangle amid claims it has not paid its builders.

The 8 million Edinburgh Clinic in Colinton Road opened earlier this year boasting state-of-the-art healthcare technology and some of the country's leading surgeons and consultants.

But the main contractor is now suing the clinic, claiming it has not been paid for much of the work.

Midlothian-based Arthurseat Ltd launched the action following completion of the medical complex in February.

It is understood that around a dozen subcontractors and suppliers are owed money by Arthurseat, with some forced to lay off staff after failure to settle outstanding invoices totalling tens of thousands of pounds each. Among those is Scotfloor UK Ltd, whose owner Ian Greenhalgh claims he is owed 13,000 by Arthurseat.

Other firms which provided security and car parking facilities for the clinic are also understood to be among those owed money. The case is due to call next month at the Court of Session when a preliminary hearing takes place on 17 December. Dr Ray Stanbridge, a spokesman for the clinic, confirmed the medical practice was involved in the dispute, but would not comment on the details of the case.

He said: "I can confirm that there's a dispute with the builder.

"The building is up and running. Clearly, it would be inappropriate to make a comment which would prejudice the case for either side."

Ruari Stephen, a director of Arthurseat, said the sum of money the company was looking for was "in excess" of 500,000.

He said: "Basically, the Edinburgh Clinic have not paid us for construction work. I'm extremely disappointed. We are a young company and we built them a fantastic facility. This is also having an impact on our subcontractors, many of whom are local businesses."

With five consulting rooms, three physiotherapy suites, a specialist day-case operating theatre and a minor surgery treatment room, the clinic deals with up to 50 patients every day.

It also features a medical imaging pod – a dedicated imaging suite attached to the main building – which contains an MRI scanner as well as a CT scanner, which is capable of non-invasive cardio screening and is the first of its kind in Scotland.

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