Only five years old . . but ERI is already booked in for a facelift

THE Edinburgh Royal Infirmary is to undergo an extensive refurbishment – just five years after first opening its doors.

NHS Lothian's PFI partner, Consort, is promising remodelling, redecorating and new innovations at the flagship hospital.

One of the biggest changes patients will notice will be the introduction of a new revolving front door to provide easier access to the hospital and prevent litter being blown in. Information boards showing the new design are to be displayed in the hospital ahead of the work which is expected to start in the spring.

The main entrance courtyards are also to be improved, with Consort promising to pay particular attention to litter and smoking at the back of the hospital.

A spokeswoman for Consort said: "We are continually trying to discourage people from throwing cigarettes and litter in the courtyard to the back of the hospital. New ways in which we can do this are currently under discussion."

She refused to say how much the work is going to cost Consort, but promised it was factored in to the original PFI agreement and would not be passed on to the taxpayer.

"The hospital is five years old and work is ongoing to keep it at its original standard," the Consort spokeswoman said. "There are 10,000 movements a day in the mall area alone. We have 900 patients in the hospital and that's not including outpatients and visitors. A public building which is that busy needs maintenance."

She added: "Some of the work will be part of our programme of continuous improvement, we are always looking at areas to see where they can be improved."

Dining facilities at the hospital are also to be given a facelift. Strollers restaurant in the main mall, which is operated by Sodexho, is to be remodelled and the menu extended to provide more healthy eating options.

The main dining room will be revamped, with improvements expected to include new flooring, seating, redecoration and new equipment.

NHS Lothian is working closely with Consort and HBML, which manages the dining room, to ensure alternative dining facilities are available while the refurbishment work takes place.

Meanwhile, shopping facilities in the mall are to be remodelled and upgraded and health chiefs also hope new signs outside will give better information to patients and visitors. The wards and departments are to be redecorated, with work already having started in the main mall, and will include a new art timeline project.

Other improvements include a review of the lighting in the main mall and an expansion of recycling facilities. A waste recycling trial has been under way for some time and a waste-recycling contractor has now been appointed.

John Jack, director of facilities at NHS Lothian, said: "With over a million people coming to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh each year, it is important that we have a planned programme of maintenance to ensure the hospital maintains a good state of repair. We are working closely with our private-sector partners to improve and enhance the patient experience at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh."

WEB LINKS

• www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk