Whistleblower's concerns about new Aberdeen hospital were 'downplayed', report finds

An investigation has found concerns raised by a whistleblower about a new hospital project in Aberdeen were at times downplayed with public money wasted because of costly delays.

The Baird Family Hospital and Anchor Centre were due to open in 2020, but neither are complete and the budget has more than tripled.

The cost was originally expected to be up to £134 million, but that has significantly risen to more than £438 million.

The building of the hospital has had a host of problems – including ventilation and its water system.

But now in documents, seen by STV News, an investigation found a key process in the design of the new project was not carried out, leading to concerns over infection risks, redesigns and rising costs.

It found that a system known as HAI Scribe (Healthcare Associated Infection System for Controlling Risk in the Built Environment) wasn’t properly completed during the design of the Baird and Anchor.

It found if it had, it would have addressed issues around ventilation and water systems – problems that have caused lengthy delays to the project.

It also found that in the early years of the project, concerns were raised but “were consistently downplayed, and there remains individuals who continue to minimise infection prevention risks”.

It also said it would have reduced overall costs – the hospitals are now more than three times over budget.

The investigation found: “The additional costs created by non-compliant design and the associated remediation are obvious and not disputed by any party.”

A range of other concerns were also raised but were not upheld.

The Baird Family Hospital is set open in June 2027, with the Anchor Centre to open in July this year.

NHS Grampian chief executive, Laura Skaife-Knight said: “I’d like to thank this member of staff for speaking up and raising their concerns. I appreciate this is not an easy thing to do and I want to recognise their bravery in taking this step.”

Ms Skaife-Knight said the health board wanted to create a culture where staff felt safe to speak up and believe their actions would lead to positive changes.

NHS Grampian welcomed the conclusions and recommendations of the independent third party investigation.

“I have personally met the whistleblower to thank them for speaking up and to commit to making the improvements that are needed, including when it comes to improving our organisational culture and listening to and acting on staff feedback,” said Ms Skaife-Knight.

“I have agreed to personally lead and take this work forward.

“We remain focused on learning and improving and from this colleagues’ experience and we will share this both locally and internally as well as nationally via Scottish Government so that NHS Scotland can benefit when it comes to future capital projects.

“I’d like to apologise to the public and our staff that these buildings have taken longer to complete than we’d have liked. It is vital that we make sure these new facilities are suitable for our patients and staff for the future generations for decades to come.

“Ongoing physical alterations have been informed by ongoing national Infection Prevention and Control work and lessons learned from the ongoing Scottish Hospitals Inquiry.

“We shared an update at our February 2026 public Board meeting in the spirit of openness and transparency and will continue to ensure regular progress updates are published.”

North-East MSP Alexander Burnett said: “The seriousness of the issue and the possible opening of the ANCHOR centre in July means that greater scrutiny is required, because what is at stake here is a repeat of the tragedy that occurred in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

“The report on NHS Grampian, which was commissioned by NHS Highland, reveals a host of failures in the design and construction of these sites in Aberdeen. There are concerns from expert eyewitnesses about a catalogue of mistakes around ventilation, mould and flood risk at facilities where children and cancer patients will soon go to get better.

“The report upholds complaints relating to ventilation and water cleanliness during critical parts of the Baird family hospital and ANCHOR design and construction phases. That includes that the healthcare associated infection system for controlling risk in the built environment—HIA-SCRIBE—guidance was not followed; that the infection prevention control team was not listened to; that public money has been wasted due to HIA-SCRIBE guidance and internal infection prevention and control warnings not being followed; and that patient safety and staff wellbeing have been negatively impacted.”

The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.