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Stirling Council has announced that plans for a new Care Village for older people have agreed to move the plans forward.
The village will be located within the grounds of Stirling Community Hospital.
On Thursday, the local authority agreed to submit an Outline Business Case (OBC) to the Scottish Government's Capital Investment Group for consideration in the new year.
The OBC will outline plans to improve outcomes for older people by way of a new integrated health and social care 'hub' that would bring together a number of existing care services for older people currently provided by Stirling Council. The care hub will also include inpatient and specialist community health services provided by NHS Forth Valley.
It is understood the Care Village will include residential and respite care along with services for older people who require additional short-term care, an assessment or rehabilitation following an illness, an operation or an acute hospital admission. In addition, it will also provide specialist support for patients with dementia and those who require palliative and end of life care.
In a statement, Stirling Council revealed it had agreed in principle to make a capital contribution of £1.8m as the project proceeds to a Full Business Case.
Councillor Christine Simpson, Stirling Council's Social Care and Health Committee Convener, said: "When we asked older people, most of them wanted to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible. The Stirling Care Village could make this a reality by bringing together a wide range of health and care services in a modern, purpose-built facility.
"With more than 100 short-stay care beds, the Stirling Care Village would provide a comfortable, homely environment for older people to help them recover, regain their independence and, in the majority of cases, return to their own homes.
"This exciting new development also provides a unique opportunity to deliver excellent care in new bespoke buildings that have been designed to meet the needs of older people at different stages in their lives."
(JP/MH)
