Final Sick Kids plans ready this summer

FINAL plans for the new Sick Kids Hospital are due to be submitted later in the summer, NHS Lothian chiefs have confirmed.

Health bosses had to go back to the drawing board for the 140 million hospital when the Scottish Government refused to hand over additional cash to merge it with another project.

That delayed the projected opening date by at least six months to the end of 2013, but it is hoped it can now go before councillors for approval.

It is understood the designs won't encounter any problems getting through that stage due to the lack of high buildings and importance of the scheme.

Chief operating officer James McCaffery said: "Following the decision to split the two sites –neurosciences and the Sick Kids – we are now in a detailed planning stage and should be able to submit the plans in the summer."