The opening of a new Sick Kids Children’s Hospital has been delayed after final inspections raised safety concerns.
The hospital was due to open on Tuesday.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has now postponed the move after final checks revealed the critical care department’s ventilation system does not meet national standards.
She said: “There is no greater responsibility of the NHS than to ensure the clinical safety of their patients, not least when those patients are children.
“In order to be absolutely sure that patient safety is delivered, I have no choice but to postpone NHS Lothian’s planned move to the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People.
“It is vital that patient safety remains paramount, which is why I have asked the health board to stop all moves until assurances have been given that the new site is entirely compliant with the relevant health technical standards.”
She added: “While this issue has been caught by the final safety checks, I am disappointed and deeply concerned that this was not identified earlier.”
The new hospital will specialise in paediatric healthcare and be based at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh campus at Little France.
It will provide care for children and young people up to around 16 years of age.
