Plans for the new National Treatment Centre, on the grounds of the former Carrick Glen Hospital in Ayr, have been unveiled for the first time.
Ayrshire Live can today give readers a first glimpse at the ambitious Dalmellington Road proposals, which include major alterations and the building of an extension at the current site.
Earlier this year, the former private healthcare hospital was taken over by NHS Ayrshire & Arran with a view to becoming part of the network of 10 national treatment centres (NTCs) around the country.
The building of the 10 network national treatment centres across the country is expected to cost around £400m.
Carrick Glen was purchased for £1.8 million.
And if the plans are approved, it will be the NTC in Ayr, specialising in orthopaedics.
The plan is to reduce waiting times in orthopaedics.
Orthopaedics is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system.
Surgeons use both surgical and nonsurgical methods to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumours, and congenital disorders.
The two-floor NTC project will provide:
* approximately 4150sqm of accommodation incorporating a Peri Operative department featuring pre and post surgery rooms
* two theatres, including support accommodation
* 11 inpatient bedrooms with accessible en-suite facilities
* in-patients department and staff accommodation
* landscaped areas, designed for “minimal maintenance” and courtyard space for patients and staff
* accessible parking at the front door drop off area- with additional accessible spaces provided close by.
According to the plans, the entrance, peri-operative suite, theatres and theatre support will be mostly located on a single ground floor, while the in-patient rooms will be located on the upper floors, to allow “security, privacy and ventilation.”
The design statement also says the proposals have been developed to be “fully accessible throughout” and will be ‘dementia friendly’ too and accessible for those with “other physical conditions,” including those who are visually impaired.
The design statement adds: “This is fundamental in the development of healthcare facilities and, in particular, those for orthopaedic care.”
Once fully operational, the network of centres will deliver capacity for more than 40,000 additional surgeries and procedures each year.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “I am very pleased that Carrick Glen Hospital will become a National Treatment Centre, specialising in orthopaedics. These centres will mark the largest expansion in elective care capacity in NHS Scotland with an overall investment of over £400 million.”
The proposals for Carrick Glen are now on the South Ayrshire Council planning portal and currently listed as ‘pending consideration.’
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