Plans to create a new care village for older people on the grounds of Stirling Community Hospital have moved a step forward following the development of initial plans.

An Outline Business Case (OBC) reveals plans for a new integrated health and social care 'hub', which would bring together a number of existing care services for older people currently provided by Stirling Council, along with in-patient and specialist community health services provided by NHS Forth Valley. These 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.

It would also provide specialist support for patients with dementia and those who require palliative and end-of-life care. It is understood services would be delivered in a modern, purpose-built facility with more than 100 short stay care beds and would provide a comfortable, homely environment for older people to help them recover, regain their independence and return to their own homes.

Furthermore, the plans would also see the creation of new facilities to house a number of existing health services on the site including Minor Injuries Services, X-ray and GP out-of-hours services, while a number of local GP practices are also said to be keen to be part of the new development.

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There would also be the potential to develop a range of onsite recreational facilities such as a café and a hair salon where older people could socialise and meet up with friends and family.

For the Scottish Ambulance Service, it has suggested relocating their existing ambulance station in the Riverside area of Stirling to a new facility on the Stirling Community Hospital site. There are longer term plans to explore the development of commercial, flexible and adaptable housing while a masterplan has been developed to show where the different health, social care and potential new housing could be located on the site.

The OBC, which has been developed as part of partnership between NHS Forth Valley, Stirling Council and Forth Valley College, also describes the strategic, financial and operational plans for the proposed Care Village and highlights the benefits for service users and staff. It outlines how the proposed new development would not only address key local priorities to improve services for older people but also provide more joined up, responsive services, in line with national plans to integrate adult health and social care services.

Councillor Christine Simpson, Stirling Council's Social Care and Health Committee Convener, said: "We know that most older people want to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible. Bringing a wide range of health and care services together under the one roof and providing the right follow up support in the community can help make this a reality for many more older people.

"This exciting new development also provides a unique opportunity to deliver excellent care in a modern purpose-built facility which has been designed to meet the needs of older people at different stages in their lives."

The OBC, which has been approved by Stirling Council and NHS Forth Valley, will now be submitted to the Scottish Government. If approved, a more detailed Full Business Case would be developed and submitted for approval in late 2014.

Construction could then start in 2015 with the new facilities being operational by 2017.

(JP/MH)