Construction of the new £6.5 million children’s hospital at Ninewells will begin in July after the Scottish Government approved the outline business case for the project.
The project team will now complete a full business plan and anticipates construction will take a year to complete.
Fundraising for the project has included initiatives such as the Oor Wullie Bucket Trail, Beards for Bairns and the Dundee Santa Dash.
Tayside Children’s Hospital is based at Ninewells Hospital and the new Children’s Theatre Suite will allow a greater number of children to receive their surgery in a specially designed, dedicated children’s facility.
It will consist of two paediatric theatres with associated pre and post-operative areas, including a 10-bed ward area.
The new Children’s Theatre Suite will be located in an area adjacent to the Children’s Medical Ward (Ward 29) and provide improved integration of paediatric services.
The total cost of the project is estimated to be £6.5 million with the ARCHIE Foundation charity contributing £2 million.
Scottish Government health secretary Jeane Freeman said: “I am pleased that the Scottish Government has been able to approve the outline business case for this new dedicated children’s theatre suite. I look forward to receiving the full business case next year.”
NHS Tayside Chairman John Brown said: “We are extremely pleased that we are now one step closer to starting work on the new Children’s Theatre Suite.
“This dedicated children’s facility will mean that many more children will now be cared for in a child friendly environment which has been designed by putting children at the heart of their care.”
David Wood, chief executive of The ARCHIE Foundation, said: “It’s wonderful to see progress being made towards making the Children’s Theatre Suite project a reality.
“As we work in partnership with NHS Tayside on the plans it’s been so great to learn so much about the difference that the unit will have on children, families and staff and we’re proud to be part of it.”
The Oor Wullie Bucket Trail in Dundee in 2016 raised nearly £900,000 for the appeal and is returning next summer.
Anyone who wishes to donate to Archie can do so here.
