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A row is brewing over delays to complete a multi-million pound mental health inpatient unit, designed to care for children aged 12 to 18 in Ayrshire. The £19m National Secure Adolescent Inpatient Service, known as Foxgrove, was initially due to be completed more than three and a half years ago. But the project, on the grounds of Ayrshire Central Hospital in Irvine, was pushed back after watchdog, NHS Scotland Assure, stepped in and put a block on the site being opened to patients. They were sent in to examine the quality of NHS new builds following the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital scandal in Glasgow. As a result they asked for “quality issues identified in the build” to be “rectified” by the contractor. And earlier this month the Scottish Government conceded that the project had been further delayed due to “key risks relating to the completion of defects.” There are also fears that the costs could escalate, with the Scottish Government report admitting “additional costs are being incurred due to prolongation and programme delay.” The report continues: “The completion date will now be later than had been anticipated due to the number and complexity of defects to be resolved. A completion date is not confirmed at this time and final costs will be confirmed following completion.” It’s also been revealed that children who could potentially benefit from the service on their doorstep are being referred to similar services in England, as delays to the scheme and rising costs take their toll. Now Scottish Conservative shadow public health minister- and List MSP for South Scotland- Brian Whittle- has gone on the offensive and attacked the SNP-led Scottish Government for its handling of the scheme. He said: “This shocking delay is having a devastating impact on children with complex mental health needs here in Ayrshire and right across Scotland. “Like so many projects under the SNP, costs have spiralled, and it is now over three years late with a lack of transparency about when it will be completed.” In August, Caroline Cameron, Director of North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership, confirmed that patients were being referred to sites in England because Foxgrove wasn’t yet operational, saying: “This much needed national facility will be of huge benefit to children from around the country who are seriously unwell. “Currently, these patients are referred to secure adolescent mental health facilities in England, or in adult inpatient settings, placing significant additional pressure and stress on the young people, as well as their families.” MSP Whittle said the delays to Foxgroxe- and the current question marks hanging over the as yet incomplete National Treatment Centre at Carrick Glen, Ayr, show that Ayrshire is merely an ‘afterthought’ for the SNP government. He said: “This facility is desperately needed and it’s unacceptable that children and their families are being forced to travel to England or be housed in adult facilities due to a lack of spaces in Scotland. “On the back of the Carrick Glen treatment centre laying idle for three years, this is further proof that Ayrshire is an afterthought when it comes to healthcare under this SNP government. “It’s crucial that children experiencing mental health issues start treatment as soon as possible. We need to shift towards preventative measures so we can support young people before they hit crisis point.” He added: “The SNP have badly let these children down. Ministers must now work closely with the health board to get this much-needed facility open without any further delay.” A Scottish Government spokesperson has revealed they expect Foxgrove to open in early 2026. They said: “We continue to work closely with NHS Ayrshire & Arran and NHS Scotland Assure to support their efforts to finalise completion with their contractors and agree an opening date. We expect Foxgrove to open in early 2026. “This will be a vital addition to child and adolescent mental health services in Scotland to support young people with some of the most challenging mental health issues.”
