The decision to pause the construction of new building projects across NHS Scotland, including a number of planned National Treatment Centres (NTCs), does not affect the new National Treatment Centre (NTC) ward currently under construction at the rear of Forth Valley Royal Hospital. While the new ward building is largely complete, work continues to address a number of outstanding recommendations made by NHS Scotland Assure, the new organisation set up as part of National Services Scotland, to ensure the safety, cost effectiveness and sustainability of NHS buildings, facilities and equipment across the country.

Good progress has been made in addressing many of the issues highlighted by NHS Scotland Assure in their previous review reports and, while most of the recommendations have been completed, a number of complex issues require to be finalised. Work is underway to consider a number of options to resolve these remaining issues.

We are confident that the new inpatient ward, which represents the final stage in the development of the NTC, will be operational later this year. In the meantime, NHS Forth Valley continues to treat a significant number of patients from other Health Boards with the support of the two additional operating theatres, MRI scanner and workforce already in place to support the new NTC – Forth Valley.