First phase completed at state-of-the-art hospital

Hamish Hutchinson • Published 13 May 2010 09:51 1 Comment

THE first phase of the £300m state-of-the-art Forth Valley Royal Hospital was marked with the burial of a time capsule which contains letters and articles from school children including a pupil from Alloa's Sunnyside Primary.

NHS Forth Valley Chairman Ian Mullen joined 11-year-old Claire Goodman and youngsters from surrounding schools at the ceremony before unveiling the first phase of the new hospital, which will be one of the best equipped hospitals in Europe.

And, thanks to the time capsule, 100 years from now, future generations will get an insight into health care in Forth Valley from 1850 to 2010.

Due to the size and scale of the new hospital, services will be moved on a phased basis.

Over the next 12 weeks, a wide range of inpatient, outpatient and day services from Falkirk Royal Infirmary, including the renal unit, chemotherapy unit and theatres, will move in and doors will open to the first patients in early August.

This will be followed by acute inpatient and specialist mental health services in September 2010, and a wide range of services from Stirling Royal Infirmary will transfer in July 2011.

Speaking at the ceremony in the visitor garden of the new hospital, Mr Mullen said, "It is amazing to see how healthcare has progressed.

"For example patients in the new hospital will be looked after in single en-suite rooms or four-bedded bays, a far cry from the so-called 'Nightingale Wards' which could contain up to 40 beds or so.

"Technology has moved apace too with state-of-the-art scanners and imaging equipment.

"One hundred years from now there will no doubt be further advances of which we, in 2010, cannot yet imagine."

Sunnyside pupil Claire (11), who was part of the time capsule project, told the Advertiser, "I am really excited to be part of today and to put articles in the time capsule.

"I wrote about events that have happened so far in 2010, like the plane crash involving the Polish Prime Minister.

"I think the time capsule was a really good idea and I am honoured to be part of an event like this."

Among the wealth of information in the capsule are documents detailing the start of the Royal Scottish National Hospital which once stood on the site and the previous openings of Forth Valley's two infirmaries.

Helping mastermind the collection has been Lorna Blair, from the Public Patient Panel, who have also been involved with the design of the new hospital.

She said, "We are very proud of the history of healthcare in Forth Valley and wanted to preserve details for future generations.

"Collecting the material has provided me with many trips down memory lane - although not as far back as 150 years ago!"

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Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  Bob Aitchison
  Unregistered User
  May 15, 03:01
  Report comment

  The standard of reportage in this newspaper will pretty well guarantee that it will forever remain a low grade "local" newspaper.
  
  It is insufficient to throw onto the internet the same information provided in the printed edition purchased by local residents, who are aware of local geography and events.
  
  The internet has ensured that this newspaper can be accessed from anywhere in the world, at virtually any time. Missing from the internet edition is the basic who, what, where, when and why which any reputable newspaper should supply to readers. To readers with no knowledge of Central Scotland the article on the Forth Valley Royal Hospital is a mystery story since the what, why ,where and when have just been totally ignored.
  
  Improve your technical standards or face oblivion!!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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