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

Spiritual Care Services awarded Bereavement Charter for Scotland
on May 23, 2025
The NHS Lothian Spiritual Care Services has been awarded the prestigious Bereavement Charter for Scotland (Workforces).

News & Media NHS Lothian | News & Media

NHS Lothian launches Plan to Develop and Protect our Green Areas
on May 21, 2025
In NHS Lothian we are very proud of the many green spaces we own and manage.

News & Media NHS Lothian | News & Media

Early prehabilitation reduces time in hospital for lung cancer patients
on May 16, 2025
An innovative project - The Early Prehabilitation in Lung Cancer project (EPIC project) - led by NHS Lothian has found that simple measures put in place as soon a lung cancer is suspected in a patient has benefits including a significantly reduced time spent in hospital.

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.