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 Receptionist Retires at 90 After 58 Years of Service
on March 26, 2025
Cathie Lackie will move on to her next chapter after nearly six decades of dedicated service to NHS Lothian.

News & Media NHS Lothian | News & Media

First NHS Board in Scotland to Appoint Manager to Lead Waste Reduction and Drive Sustainability
on March 25, 2025
NHS Lothian has just become the first NHS Board in Scotland to appoint a Circular Economy and Waste Minimisation Manager.

News & Media NHS Lothian | News & Media

Celebrating NHS Lothian Bereavement Service’s Achievement
on March 21, 2025
The NHS Lothian Bereavement Service has been awarded the prestigious Bereavement Charter for Scotland (Workforces).

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.