Starting on Monday 26 February the hearing will continue for up to four weeks.

The topics that will be covered at the hearing include:

• The development of the design of the ventilation system for critical care rooms in the period after financial close
• The decision-making and governance concerning the agreement reached between NHS Lothian and Integrated Health Solutions Lothian (IHSL)
• The decision-making and governance around the decision not to open the hospital in 2019
• The changes to the ventilation system in the period between 2019 and the opening of the hospital
• The decision-making and governance around the decision to open the hospital
• Whether the hospital provides a suitable environment for the delivery of safe, effective person-centred care

Further details of what will be explored under each of the above can be found here.

Lord Brodie, chair of the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, said: “The upcoming hearing should complete the oral evidence to be heard in relation to the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and the Department of Clinical Neuroscience in Edinburgh.

“This evidence will build on the provisional findings set out in the papers already published by the Inquiry Team and the responses to them which have been provided by core participants in the Inquiry.”

The Inquiry will hear from experts, representatives of some of the companies and organisations involved in the hospital project and those in key decision-making roles, including the former Cabinet Secretary for Health, Ms Jeane Freeman.

At the conclusion of oral evidence, the core participants will be invited to submit written closing statements. Lord Brodie has indicated that, once these have been received, a final hearing on the Edinburgh hospital will be held in June 2024 where the legal representatives of the core participants will have the opportunity to make brief oral submissions focusing on what are identified as the key issues for the Inquiry.

It is Lord Brodie’s intention to issue an interim report on the Edinburgh hospital. Details of which will be announced in due course.

The Inquiry Team continues to work on preparations for the third hearing in relation to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, which will begin in August of this year.