JEANE FREEMAN has refused to guarantee that Edinburgh’s troubled “sick kids” hospital will be open by the end of next year.

The SNP Health Secretary told the Herald on Sunday newspaper that it “wouldn’t be fair to the staff or [potential] patients” to set a deadline before the Scottish government receives the results of official reviews.

Ms Freeman overruled NHS Lothian bosses to delay the opening of the £150 million Royal Hospital for Children and Young People last month amid concerns over ventilation and drainage problems.