This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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HCI renamed Golden Jubilee National Hospital
06/12/2002
The former HCI private hospital in Clydebank bought by
NHSScotland earlier this year is to be known as the Golden
Jubilee National Hospital.
Making the announcement, Health Minister Malcolm
Chisholm also revealed major plans for two new theatres at
the hospital allowing it to treat four times as many
patients needing hip and knee replacements and other
orthopaedic operations.
Mr Chisholm said:
"I am delighted that the Golden Jubilee National
Hospital can now go forward with its work.
"It is a unique national asset for the health service in
Scotland and will make a huge contribution to reducing
waiting times for patients.
"We welcomed the staff at Clydebank into the NHS in July
and I have been very impressed by their dedication and
enthusiasm they have demonstrated in taking on this vital
role for patients from all over Scotland.
"Tackling waiting is my top priority. This expansion
will greatly help us tackle one of the toughest areas -
orthopaedics."
The two new orthopaedic theatres will be build and
kitted out over the next few months At the same time,
recruitment will start in the New Year for full-time
surgical, medical and orthopaedic nursing staff to start in
June.
The hospital currently has six operating theatres. It is
already ahead of schedule to double its overall capacity
within its first year as an NHS hospital. In its second
year, the two new theatres will seek to carry out at least
1200 orthopaedic operations compared to 300 in the current
year.
New investment at the hospital comes on top of the
current £4 million initiative to use private hospital
capacity to reduce orthopaedic waits. The Executive intends
to continue this initiative next year.
Ian McAdam, director of the Golden Jubilee National
Hospital, said:
"We have a superb workforce here who have adapted
tremendously to the challenges facing them.
"We now look forward to a substantial and sustainable
development of this marvellous facility for the benefit of
patients throughout Scotland."
The HCI private hospital at Clydebank was built in 1993
and purchased by the Scottish Executive for £37.5 million
in June 2002 as the National Waiting Times Centre when its
owners announced their intention of pulling out.
Staff and the public were consulted over the choice of a
new name. Golden Jubilee National Hospital was selected by
the Executive as the most appropriate to reflect its status
and importance to Scotland.
It is one of the biggest employers in Clydebank,
providing 288 jobs in the hospital and 86 in the associated
hotel.