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Lothian NHS Board

Waverley Gate 2-4 Waterloo Place Edinburgh EH13EG

www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

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Ms Kezia Dugdale MSP M1.07 The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH991SP

Date Our Ref Enquiries to Direct Line

2 November 2012 20692 Complaints Team 0131 5363370

Dear Ms Dugdale Closure of Acorn Nursery Thank you for your letter dated 18 October 2012 received in the office of our Chief Executive Mr Tim Davison on 29 October 2012. I am responding on his behalf. The nursery on the Little France site was built by Consort at the time of the original Private Finance Initiative agreement around 2002. Consort let the facility on commercial terms to a private operator, Careshare Nursery Ltd. The private nursery operator has taken the decision to close the nursery at the Royal Infirmary-of.Edinburgh .,AcomsJ\!ur.sery.wHl.c1ose.on, 30November~20.12.~ _~ NHS Lothian became aware in November last year that Consort's tenant, Careshare, had concerns about the commercial viability of their operation and no longer wanted to invest in the property. At the time NHS Lothian was negotiating a land transaction with Consort that would see the car park adjacent to the nursery transfer from Consort to NHS Lothian to allow the construction of a replacement for the Royal Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Clinical Neurosciences. Given this, and the fact that the nursery operator did not want to continue with the operation, it was agreed that the nursery site would be included in the transfer and NHS Lothian agreed terms with Careshare for the surrender of their lease. This agreement with Careshare was extended until the point that the land transaction with Consort was approved and Careshare negotiated a two month notice period following approval. When Busy Bees Ltd bought Careshare's operations, as part of a UK wide transaction, we did discuss the possibility of re-negotiating the lease. However, given the extent of the

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Headquarters Waveney Gate, 2-4 Watenoo

Place, Edinburgh

EH1 3EG

Chair Dr Charles J Winstanley Chief Executive TIm Davison Lothian NHS Boord is the common

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development work on the site, Busy Bees felt that this would not be in the best interest of the children or their business. Parents and staff at the nursery have been informed and will be provided with support from the nursery operator to find alternative childcare and employment. NHS Lothian will provide support for any of our staff whose working arrangements may be affected by the closure of the nursery. NHS Lothian would not recommend alternative providers to parents as this is very much a personal choice. However, we appreciate that a number of our staff have been affected by the decision to close the nursery and we have allocated our Head of Employee Relations for our University Hospitals Division to act as a contact for staff. The nominated person for support is Noreen Clancy who will be available to offer advice for staff and can be contacted on 0131-465-7692 or bye-mail, noreen.c1ancy@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk. In addition, we are offering support to staff as necessary with regards to flexibility with start times, time off to acclimatise children to new nurseries etc. We have also looked into the provision of child care in the area and there are more than seven private nurseries less than three miles from the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. Some .of t/Je5e,ar.e~ offe~Lng_th~sam~ _5/,,- qiscouot .toJ'<jtt$ .~ti!ff tl)at tbe~A<;;C)ms .n.urs~ry.offerecL_ ~ Busy Bees is also offering parents the opportunity to transfer to other nurseries within their' organisation. I hope this helps to address your constituents concerns regarding the Acorn Nursery at the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh. Yours sincerely

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Stuart Wilson Director of Communications and Public Affairs

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Tim Davison, Chief Executive Complaints Team