Details of what the Stirling Community Hospital site might look like in a few years time will be unveiled at a public information and engagement day.

The event, which takes place from 1.00 – 8.00pm on Tuesday 26th March in the lecture theatre at Stirling Community Hospital, will provide an update on the proposals to develop a new Care Village for older people on the site which would bring together a wide range of health, social care, housing, training and GP services.

An exhibition will be available to view and presentations on the Master Plan proposals will take place at 1.00pm, 3.30pm and 6.30pm on the day. This will show where the different health, social care and potential new housing could be located on the site. Staff will also be on hand to answer questions. Feedback from the event will be considered before the Master Plan for the site is submitted to Stirling Council for approval as part of the application for planning permission in principle.

The development of the new Care Village would see the creation of a ‘care hub’ for older people, which could bring together existing care home and day care services currently provided by Stirling Council along with inpatient and specialist community health services provided by NHS Forth Valley. These include day hospital and rehabilitation services along with inpatient services for patients who require rehabilitation, palliative care or ongoing care.

All existing health services at Stirling Community Hospital would continue to be provided on the site and Minor Injuries Services, X-ray and GP out-of-hours services would be brought together in new purpose-built facilities along with a number of local GP practices which are keen to be part of the potential new development.

The Scottish Ambulance Service is also exploring the possibility of relocating their existing ambulance station in the Riverside area of Stirling onto the Stirling Community Hospital site. In addition, there are longer term plans to explore the development of commercial, flexible and adaptable housing on the site which would be available to buy, rent or partly own.

The plans for the new Stirling Care Village are being developed as part of joint partnership between NHS Forth Valley and Stirling Council.  Forth Valley College is also exploring opportunities for people who want a career in care to be trained within the Care Village. This has potential to provide a wide range of employment, training, placement and volunteering opportunities for local young people.

Tom Steele, Director of Strategic Property and Projects for NHS Forth Valley, said:

We are very pleased with the progress which has made over the last year and this is the first of a series of public events designed to bring local people up-to-date with the plans for the development of the Stirling Community Hospital site and answer any questions about the new Care Village.”

Councillor Christine Simpson, Convenor of the Social Care & Health Committee at Stirling Council comments:

 We are very pleased to be holding this engagement day to show people how the plans are progressing and to give people the opportunity to ask questions and give their opinions on how it is looking. This is a very exciting project for all that are involved and we hope that Tuesday’s event will demonstrate the scope of offerings the care village will provide to the local area.”

*The following GP practices have expressed an interest in being part of the potential new Care Village development

• Viewfield Medical Centre
• Park Avenue Medical Centre
• Park Terrace Medical Practice
• Allan Park Medical Practice
• St Ninian’s Medical Practice

Viewfield and Park Terrace practices have branch surgeries at St Ninians Health Centre which would also be incorporated into the proposed scheme List of GP practices.