NHS Lothian provides a comprehensive range of primary, community-based and acute hospital services for the populations of Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian and West Lothian.

We also provide selected services for patients in the Borders and in Fife and are a national centre of expertise for various specialties provided to people across Scotland. NHS Lothian has an annual budget of £1.6 billion and employs approximately 26,000 staff.

Going to Hospital

NHS Lothian provides primary, community-based and acute hospital services for the second largest residential population in Scotland. In this section, you will find useful information about how and when to attend hospitals in Lothian.

Going to Hospital

Right Care, Right Place

The way you access urgent care has changed. Please help us, help you, by getting the right care in the right place and keep A&E free for critical emergencies.

Right Care Right Place

Waiting Times

NHS Lothian is committed to reducing waiting times and ensuring patients are seen as soon as possible. To help you understand how long you may have to wait for appointments, we publish information on current waiting times.

Waiting Times

Keep up-to-date with the latest news from NHS Lothian

Visit Our News Site

News & Media NHS Lothian | News & Media

NHS Lothian nurses recognised in RCN Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards
on April 12, 2024
Four NHS Lothian nurses, along with a Lothian nursing team, have been announced as finalists in the prestigious RCN Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards 2024. The awards showcase the very best of nursing across Scotland, highlighting, and celebrating the unwavering commitment and remarkable professional care provided by nursing staff. Elaine Wilson, Community Staff Nurse,

News & Media NHS Lothian | News & Media

Nominate your NHS Lothian Health Hero today
on March 28, 2024
People in Lothian are being encouraged to nominate their health heroes for NHS Lothian’s Celebrating Success Awards. NHS Lothian’s annual Celebrating Success Awards honour staff, in twelve different categories, who have gone over and above in their day-to-day job, embracing the organisation’s core values of care and compassion, dignity and respect, quality, teamwork, openness, honesty

News & Media NHS Lothian | News & Media

East Lothian Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub
on March 25, 2024
A hub is available for people in East Lothian Community Hospital to access information, advice and practical support about mental health and wellbeing. It aims to help people find out about the wide range of services that are available in the local community.

Your Rights & Privacy

NHS Lothian values your comments, good or bad, to help us improve our services. In this section you will find out how to leave compliments, concerns or complaints and about your rights including those under current Data Protection Law.

Your Rights & Privacy

Immunisations

All vaccinations and immunisations for Edinburgh and the Lothians are now being delivered by NHS Lothian and the four local health and social care partnerships, rather than GP practices, making it as easy as possible for you to get the vaccinations you need to stay healthy.

Immunisations

Get Involved

NHS Lothian wants to develop, design and deliver our services in partnership with the people who use them. You can help shape NHS Lothian, apply to be a volunteer, or make a donation to NHS Lothian Charity.

Get Involved

Our Services

An A-Z list of services provided by NHS Lothian.

Our Services

Our Organisation

Details of Board Members, Meetings & Papers, Strategies, Annual Reviews and Our Values.

Our Organisation

Work With Us

There are over 100 different career paths within NHS Lothian. Visit our Careers website to find out more.

Careers

East Region Recruitment Service

Developing a shared service approach for recruitment in the East Region Recruitment Consortium.

East Region Recruitment

NHS 24 is Scotland’s national telehealth and telecare organisation and enables you to find your nearest services and allows you to assess your symptoms to find out what you should do next.

NHS inform is Scotland’s national health information service helping you to make informed decisions about your own health and the health of the people you care for.