Ayrshire Central health facility decision is due

Oct 3 2008 by Lorraine Howard, Irvine Herald

A DECISION over plans to build a new mental health facility at Ayrshire Central is expected to be announced next month.

Building a new centre at Ayrshire Central is just one of four options that have been looked at over the last four months.

The four options being considered were:

A combination of new building and redecoration at Ailsa Hospital.

A new build facility at Ayrshire Central Hospital.

A combination of new building and redecoration and renovation of existing buildings at Ailsa, with a second, smaller build at Ayrshire Central.

A newly-built facility at Ayrshire Central Hospital with a second smaller site at Ailsa Hospital, which would be a combination of new building and redecoration and renovation of existing buildings.

Since the consultation began in May, the Mind Your Health project team have been asking local people for their views on the four options before a decision is made in November.

The results of this consultation will be delivered at a meeting of the Health Board at the end of October before the final decision is announced on November 4.

Jim Crichton, Director of Mental Health Services, said: “I would like to thank each and every person who made a contribution during the consultation process.

“The feedback gained throughout this process has been invaluable and will help the NHS Board come to an informed decision.”

In 2004, NHS Ayrshire and Arran Board gave the go-ahead for a new facility on the site of Ayrshire Central Hospital.