Ninewells unit upgrade begins

A MULTIMILLION-POUND upgrade of a unit offering infertility treatment and care at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee began yesterday.

The £3.8million upgrade includes the redevelopment of the current space as well as the construction of a new extension.

It is part of a £14.8million project that also includes the relocation of the nuclear medicine unit to a new base at the hospital.

The assisted conception unit will operate out of ward 33 during the upgrade, which should be completed by September 2011.

Work on the nuclear medicine unit is expected to start next month and be completed by summer 2012.

The official turf cutting ceremony was carried out by NHS Tayside chief operating officer Gerry Marr.

He said: “I am delighted to see work begin on the upgrading of the assisted conception unit, which will bring great benefit to people in Tayside and beyond.”

The work will be carried out by Frameworks Scotland in association with Morrison Healthcare.

Morrison Healthcare managing director Mike Keith said: “There’s a big sense of satisfaction at work starting today. We have been involved as part of the team in the development of this project for over a year, during which time we have worked closely with NHS Tayside and the designers to create a modern facility.”

Established in 1983, the unit at Ninewells Hospital was the first centre in Scotland to offer such treatment.

It provides a referral service for patients from Tayside, Fife, Forth Valley and Western Isles health boards as well as self-funded patients from across Scotland.