An Aberdeen cancer centre that was originally scheduled to open in 2020 has suffered another setback. The Anchor Cancer Centre and Baird Family Hospital maternity facility have both been delayed, with the Anchor now not expected to open until May 2027, further postponed from a December 2026 target that itself had replaced an earlier July opening date.
The two facilities were initially budgeted at up to £134m when the project was first approved more than a decade ago, but costs have since escalated significantly. NHS Grampian has estimated the total investment at £438.6m, though the Scottish Government's infrastructure pipeline lists it at £423.6m.
The Baird Family Hospital's opening remains scheduled for September 2027, though both facilities face the possibility of further delays. According to NHS Grampian's June 2026 update, the Anchor opening carries a risk of slipping into the first quarter of 2027, and neither building can proceed without NHS Scotland Assure Key Stage Assurance Review accreditation.
The project has been troubled since construction began in 2021 at the Foresterhill campus in Aberdeen. Design flaws and problems with water and ventilation systems have plagued the build, and in March, construction materials including wall panels and insulation were discovered to have developed mould after being exposed to moisture. Infection control teams raised concerns after the materials were allowed to become wet during the construction process.
What services will the facilities provide?
The Anchor Cancer Centre will consolidate radiotherapy, oncology, haematology and research services under one roof. The Baird Family Hospital will house maternity and breast-screening services alongside a neonatal unit and operating theatre, significantly expanding women's and newborn healthcare capacity in the region.
Why has the latest delay occurred?
The most recent postponement stems from efforts to strengthen the project's infrastructure. A March decision by the project board led to the addition of a secondary sterilisation unit to reinforce and protect the water system, a measure designed to ensure water safety and prevent the contamination issues that have already affected the construction. The revised timescale was disclosed in NHS Grampian board papers ahead of a meeting on Thursday.
What oversight has the project faced?
The extended delays and cost overruns have drawn scrutiny from oversight bodies. A Scottish Hospitals Inquiry investigation found that whistleblower concerns about the project were at times downplayed, and that costly delays had wasted public money. The inquiry's findings highlighted governance issues that contributed to the project's troubled trajectory.
What happens next?
NHS Grampian has committed to providing further project updates at all public board meetings and at a closed board meeting scheduled for 9 July 2026. Both facilities remain subject to commissioning and assurance review processes before they can open to patients. The health board has acknowledged that risks to the planned opening dates for both facilities remain.
Key Facts:
- The Anchor Cancer Centre opening has been pushed back to May 2027, with a risk of further delay into the first quarter of 2027
- The Baird Family Hospital maternity facility is scheduled to open in September 2027
- Project costs have risen from an initial £134m estimate to £438.6m
- Construction has been hampered by design flaws, water and ventilation system problems, and mould damage to materials
- Both facilities require NHS Scotland Assure Key Stage Assurance Review accreditation before opening
