A TILLICOULTRY woman was one of the first patients to be treated in the new GP and Minor Injuries Centre at Stirling Health and Care Village.

Eleanor Nicolson, pictured with Cathie Cowan, NHS Forth Valley chief executive, said it "looks lovely" and remarked on the large windows.

The health board reported that others have given positive comments, describing the premises as bright, modern, while acknowledging it is superior to the previous unit and easier to access.

The centre, which opened its doors for the first time on Monday, August 13, provides spacious accommodation for a number of services which have relocated from other parts of the Stirling Community Hospital site.

These include minor injuries services, X-ray facilities (two X-ray rooms and two ultrasound rooms), GP out-of-hours services and Keep Well services.

It will also house three local GP practices (Viewfield, Park Avenue, and Park Terrace Practices), which will transfer across over the next few months and provide a local base for the Scottish Ambulance service.

The Minor Injuries Unit at the centre continues to operate from 9am-9pm, seven days a week without the need for an appointment and provides treatment for a wide range of injuries including minor burns and scalds, sprains, cuts, minor eye, ear, head and neck injuries and treatment for suspected broken bones (including X-rays and plaster room facilities).

The centre is the first part of the new £37m Stirling Health and Care Village to be opened.

The Bellfield Centre, a 116 bed inpatient facility which will provide short-term care, assessment or rehabilitation for older people, is due to be completed later in the year.

It will also have a café, hairdresser, landscaped areas and an information area which can be used by local community groups and volunteers.

The final phase will see the development of a new vehicle workshop for the Scottish Ambulance Service in Autumn 2019, completing the transfer of facilities from their current base in the Riverside area of the city.