The Scottish Minister for Health visited Glasgow today as building work on Victoria Hospital has reached a vital landmark.

Health secretary Nichola Surgeon preformed the 'trowel off' as the £100 million project completed its major structural works.

Building work on the hospital began in November 2006 and is planned for completion in 2009. Located beside the Victoria Infirmary, the new hospital is expected to treat 400,000 day care patients per year and hopes to provide a flexible and sustainable healthcare facility with integrated Ambulatory Care services for South Glasgow, as part of a wider modernisation of hospital services throughout the city.

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The building will cover four floors and an area equivalent to the size of five football pitches.

The project has been somewhat marred by controversy however, when campaigners made a stand against plans to remove inpatient beds and services and replace the casualty department with a minor injuries unit were revealed.

Reinstatement of accident and emergency services failed despite the protests.

(DW/JM)