Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has opened the new £18 million Midlothian Community Hospital in Bonnyrigg.
Ms Sturgeon said: “A key feature of NHS Lothian’s programme to overhaul and modernise hospitals throughout the Lothians, this facility provides accommodation that will ensure vulnerable patients benefit from a modern, fit-for-purpose facility.”
Midlothian Community Hospital in Bonnyrigg includes a day hospital for older people with mental health problems. The new community hospital will provide 40 beds for the care of frail elderly patients and 48 for elderly mental health patients.
There is also a dedicated physiotherapy and occupational therapy service, an out-patient department including X-ray service, child health clinics, and a range of other health services.
Ms Sturgeon added: “This new health centre will not only signal a new era in patient care and comfort with well equipped wards, treatment areas, consulting rooms and waiting areas, I fully believe it will improve day-to-day working conditions for staff, allowing them to deliver first-class care in a first-class environment.”