The keys to the new £90 million laboratory on the new South Glasgow campus have been officially handed over to Andrew Robertson, Chair of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, by Ross Ballingall, Managing Director of the main contractor, Brookfield Multiplex.

The laboratory is part of the £842 million publicly funded New South Glasgow Hospitals which will see an integrated children’s and adult hospital built on the site, the gold standard for healthcare.

The new laboratory building will be linked to the main hospital via a subterranean tunnel and is the first part of the jigsaw to be completed. The building has a floor area of 25,000 square metres over five storeys. This square meterage actually equates to a modern stand alone hospital.

Delivered by contractor Brookfield Multiplex on time and under budget it will be one of the most modern and efficient labs in the UK.


NHSGGC chairman Andrew Robertson said: "I am delighted to be officially accepting the keys of this significant building from Brookfield Multiplex.

"This new laboratory is one of the most modern facilities in the UK and when fully operational will have approximately 700 staff including medical, biomedical scientists, technical assistants, administrative and clerical staff all working as a multi-disciplinary team in the building.

"It will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology to deliver diagnostic services for biochemistry, haematology, microbiology, genetics, pathology and will house the city mortuary."

Aileen MacLennan, Director of Diagnostic Services, added: "Diagnostic laboratory services assist clinicians in the diagnosis and treatment of patients and support ongoing treatment.

"By maximising the use of this southside single-site laboratory we can process patient samples even more quickly and efficiently.

"Apart from the sheer size, it has also seen one of the largest lboratory managed contracts being signed with Abbott Diagnostics. The contract, worth more than £100 million over seven years, will provide stae of the art diagnostic services for Biochemistry, Haematology, Microbiology, Genetics and Pathology with clear financial and clinical."

Ross Ballingall, Managing Director - Europe, Brookfield Multiplex, said: "Delivering the laboratory building in just under the two year programme required a great team effort from all involved.

"It has been a pleasure working with the Board, design team and our trade contractors to collectively deliver a high quality facility."

When fully operational in the next few months it will be one of the most modern and efficient labs in the UK.

(GK)