The business case for the new integrated health and social care development has been formally approved by the Scottish government, meaning the proposals can progress to more detailed designs and financial costings.
A full business case will be submitted in the next few months. If approved, construction could then start in Summer 2015 and the new facilities could be operational in Summer 2017, Stirling Council said.
Tom Steele, NHS Forth Valley’s Director of Estates and Facilities, said: "The approval of these initial plans takes us a significant step closer to creating this important new facility.
"A great deal of work has already been carried out by all the partners involved and these plans will now be developed in more detail over the next few months to enable final proposals for the facility to be submitted 2015."
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Val de Souza, Stirling Council's Head of Social Services, said: "Stirling Council has worked closely with NHS Forth Valley and Forth Valley College to develop the outline business case. We welcome its approval and remain committed to working in partnership with NHS Forth Valley to develop services for older people and people with dementia who may require short-term care, support and rehabilitation services.
"We continue to work with our partners to ensure plans are developed in more detail over the next few months. This will ensure that services are delivered in a modern, purpose-built facility which provides a homely and safe environment for older people."
Services would be delivered in a modern, purpose-built facility with more than 100 short-stay care beds. The plans would also see the creation of new facilities including Minor Injuries Services, X-ray and GP out-of-hours services, as well as some local GP practices keen to be part of the new development. These include the Viewfield, Park Avenue, Park Terrace and Wallace Medical Practices in Stirling.
There would also be the potential to develop a range of onsite recreational facilities such as a café and a hair salon.
The Scottish Ambulance Service has put forward plans to relocate their existing station in the Riverside area of Stirling to a new facility on the Stirling Community Hospital site.
(IT/MH)
