{"id":538453,"date":"2026-02-18T12:45:56","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T12:45:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.constructionnews.co.uk\/?p=538453"},"modified":"2026-02-18T12:31:45","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T12:31:45","slug":"graham-hospital-job-soars-by-300m-due-to-construction-challenges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.constructionnews.co.uk\/buildings\/graham-hospital-job-soars-by-300m-due-to-construction-challenges-18-02-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Graham hospital job soars by \u00a3300m due to \u2018construction challenges\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

The cost of a Scottish hospital job where a worker died during construction has spiralled to more than \u00a3400m following \u201cnumerous\u201d challenges and delays.<\/p>\n

Water and ventilation problems are among a number of issues that have hit Graham\u2019s job to build both the Baird Family Hospital and the Anchor Cancer Centre in Aberdeen, according to board minutes from NHS Grampian.<\/p>\n

The build was hit by tragedy in 2023 when a worker lost his life.<\/p>\n

The contractor was originally awarded the contract in 2016<\/a>, then valued at \u00a3134m, with completion due in 2020.<\/p>\n

However, in an update to the board this week, Colin Adam, project director for the scheme, placed the cost at \u00a3438.6m, up from the \u00a3261.1m predicted in 2023.<\/p>\n

He now expects the Anchor Centre to open in July this year, and the Baird Family Hospital in June 2027.<\/p>\n

The Aberdeen Maternity Hospital \u2013 which is being replaced by the Baird Family Hospital \u2013 will be demolished by December 2027. But he said the dates \u201cwill be subject to review on a weekly basis\u201d.<\/p>\n

The board is due to meet on Thursday (19 February) to discuss the costs and revised completion dates.<\/p>\n

In the board update, Adam also said governance arrangements were in place to deliver the site effectively following \u201cnumerous challenges in delivery impacting on cost and programme\u201d.<\/p>\n

Adam said the Scottish Government had confirmed it will provide the increased funding for the project.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis [increase] reflects a combination of factors, notably cost pressures arising from market and construction challenges, programme delays and revisions to works to be undertaken,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Adam said construction had started before NHS Scotland launched its Key Stage Assurance Reviews (KSAR) process in 2021, implementing lessons learned on previous hospital projects.<\/p>\n

KSARs aim to ensure major NHS construction projects are \u201cplanned, designed and delivered safely\u201d, and that hospitals meet their technical needs and prevent infection.<\/p>\n

He said the hospital buildings will not open without KSAR status.<\/p>\n

Ahead of a board meeting last June, Adam said the NHS service had carried out a full design review into the project, which revealed \u201cseveral design issues specific to water and ventilation\u201d.<\/p>\n

Specifically, the pipework for the mains water supply needed replacing after the contractor \u201cprematurely\u201d filled it with water.<\/p>\n

Adam also identified necessary adjustments to the ventilation systems, to provide specific pressures in the buildings.<\/p>\n

Working on a remedial strategy for the site also hit the project\u2019s delivery, and took longer because of \u201ca lack of adequate technical expertise employed within NHS Grampian\u201d.<\/p>\n

Once completed, the Baird Family Hospital will bring together all services from the Aberdeen Maternity Hospital and breast and gynaecology services from Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.<\/p>\n

The Anchor Cancer Centre will provide a new hub for day-patient and out-patient oncology and haematology services, which are also relocating from Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.<\/p>\n

In January 2023, subcontractor Alistair Hutton, 51, died<\/a> during the construction of the Baird Family Hospital after he was struck by a metal lintel while navigating a mobile elevating work platform.<\/p>\n

At the time, Graham said it was \u201cdeeply saddened\u201d by the incident.<\/p>\n

Following an investigation, the Health and Safety Executive fined NG Bailey<\/a> \u2013 which was also working on the scheme \u2013 \u00a3135,000 over the incident.<\/p>\n

Construction News <\/em>has contacted Graham for comment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The cost of a Scottish hospital job where a worker died during construction has spiralled to more than \u00a3400m following \u201cnumerous\u201d challenges and delays. Water and ventilation problems are among a number of issues that have hit Graham\u2019s job to build both the Baird Family Hospital and the Anchor Cancer Centre in Aberdeen, according to …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":90643,"featured_media":496463,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[547],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-538453","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buildings","issue-online-news"],"yoast_head":"\nGraham hospital job soars by \u00a3300m due to \u2018construction challenges\u2019 | Construction News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The cost of a Scottish hospital job where a worker died during construction has spiralled to more than \u00a3400m following \u201cnumerous\u201d challenges and delays.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, 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