The Scottish Government's 2024-25 budget made no mention of a new eye hospital - despite the current building being declared unfit for purpose in 2014.
10 years later, and we're still no further forward.
With leaky roofs, broken lifts and waiting times at an unprecedented high, we’re campaigning with MSPs and other visual impairment organisations for a new eye hospital without further delay.
After years of broken promises, the Cabinet Secretary for Health has said the eye hospital is a priority, but plans for a new eye hospital are still on hold until a revised capital spending plan from the Scottish Government, expected in the spring, has now been postponed until after the UK Government’s budget at the end of October.
The news that urgent repair work at the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion will now be carried out at the end of October is worrying, as this will severely disrupt patient services for at least 6 months.
It raises serious questions as to how this is being funded and why a building that was declared unfit for purpose ten years ago is having repair work done, as opposed to allocating these funds to a new hospital.
Over 180,000 people across Scotland are estimated to live with sight loss and this number is set to grow. Every single one of these individuals deserves access to quality eye healthcare. We can't wait any longer.
Show your support and sign the petition below for a new eye hospital.