The Scottish Government is to spend £557million on building new hospitals as well as upgrades of equipment and IT systems.

The capital funding is part of the £11.35billion that will be spent on the NHS in 2010-11.

Major building projects next year include the new South Glasgow hospitals, Aberdeen Emergency Care and reprovision of the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "These investments towards the future of Scotland's healthcare will bring real benefits to patients and staff.

"The funding will ensure that NHS boards continue to have the resources to offer first-class patient care across Scotland, a key priority for the Scottish Government.

"With £353million allocated for NHS building and infrastructure projects across Scotland, it also shows the Scottish Government's commitment to support sectors of the economy, like the construction industry, hit hardest by the recession."

About £300million will be spent on building new facilities and improving existing facilities.

NHS Special Boards will receive £49.74million for key developments including the vehicle and defibrillator replacement programmes for the ambulance service and the redevelopment of the State Hospital at Carstairs.

Funding will also go to areas like e-health, primary and community care premises, and the replacement of radiotherapy equipment.

The total capital investment across the three-year period from 2008-2011 is £1.67billion.