The Scottish government will spend £557m on building new hospitals and upgrading the NHS in 2010-2011, it has been announced.

Scottish health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said projects earmarked for the money included new South Glasgow hospitals, Aberdeen emergency care and reprovision of the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh.

About £300m will be spent on new facilities and existing services. NHS special boards will receive £49.74m for key projects including the vehicle and defibrillator replacement programmes for the ambulance service. Funding will also go to e-health, primary and community care premises and the replacement of radiotherapy equipment.

“These investments towards the future of Scotland’s healthcare will bring real benefits to patients and staff,” Ms Sturgeon said.

“The funding will ensure that NHS boards continue to have the resources to offer first class patient care across Scotland, a key priority for the Scottish government.

“With £353m allocated for NHS building and infrastructure projects across Scotland, it also shows the Scottish government’s commitment to support sectors of the economy, like the construction industry, hit hardest by the recession.”

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