New hospital opens early

THE Lothians' newest hospital has opened six weeks ahead of schedule.

Health chiefs didn't expect the new Midlothian Community Hospital in Dalkeith to be operational until the end of October.

But thanks to quick work and no hitches, the 18 million facility was able to open yesterday, with smaller aspects of the building up-and-running even earlier than that.

The feat is particularly impressive given NHS Lothian had some concerns that the severe winter weather at the turn of the year may have caused some delays.

Gerry Power, general manager of the East and Midlothian Community Health Partnerships, said: "I am absolutely delighted that the hospital is ready and that we can provide a first class service to patients several weeks early."