Fresh delays hit troubled hospitals project in Aberdeen
Problems persist for Baird Family Hospital and Anchor Centre
Last updated 9th Jun 2026
After multiple delays to Aberdeen's Baird Family Hospital and Anchor Cancer Centre, there are yet more setbacks.
Both were meant to open in 2020 - but now the Anchor won't be ready until at least December this year, with the Baird due for completion in September 2027.
And the budget is now 438 million pounds - over treble the original estimate.
NHS Grampian's Infrastructure Director Jug Johal says : "First of all I'd like to start by apologising to staff and patients for the delays. We're working really hard to hand over high quality buildings so that we can deliver the best possible patient care for decades to come.
I'm not looking back. I'm completely focused on the job ahead and getting these buildings handed over as soon as possible.
With the Anchor we're working on a secondary sterilization unit just as a precautionary measure and that's caused a little bit of delay but we're still focused on getting that building handed over as soon as possible. With a clinical commissioning period of nine weeks we're hoping to have that building handed over at the end of the year.
We're looking to hand over the Baird by autumn 2027. We're working through a number of mechanical and electrical issues and that's no different to any project that have been involved with in the past. You do experience technical issues this late on in a project."
MSP slams Scottish Government over delays and budget
MSP Liam Kerr says : “It’s inexcusable that the opening dates for both hospitals have been delayed yet again, costing more than 300 million pounds more than originally estimated.
The endless problems that have unfolded with these projects are now a national scandal that must be thoroughly investigated to find out why this has been allowed to happen.
Serious questions must be asked of the Scottish Government as to why lessons have not been learnt by the mistakes made with ventilation and water issues at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and the sick kids’ hospital in Edinburgh."
Health Secretary's response
In response, Health Secretary Angela Constance says:
“Safety is always paramount and NHS Grampian is implementing several changes to the new hospital as a result of clinical recommendations, following a design review. This has impacted completion date and cost.
“We are focused on ensuring the ANCHOR Centre and Baird Family Hospital opens as soon as it's safe to do so. We are clear we will not compromise on issues of patient safety.”