Lothian NHS board today invited contractors to prequalify to build the scheme under the Scottish non-profit distributing model.

A bidders day will be held next Thursday to outline details of the building project. Interested firms will need to register on the Public Contracts Scotland web site by 21 January where there is more information about the contractors day.

Once firms have prequalified the Trust hopes to issue tenders in March and then shortlist three bidders to work up detailed submissions for the 25-year design, build, finance and maintain contract.

A preferred bidder will be named early in 2014 to start work on site in the summer of that year.

The new facility is to be delivered as a stand alone new build and will be located on the existing site of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

The project is part of a £750m health pipeline delivering a range of improvements to hospital and community health facilities right across Scotland.