A new 30-bed ward is being designed and built at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert as part of the final step in the development of the new National Treatment Centre for NHS Scotland.
The ward, which is being built by modular construction company, Portakabin, will enable around 1,500 additional operations to be carried out each year, supported by more than 90 additional staff across a range of disciplines.
The new ward will have 30 en-suite bedrooms, two of which are specially adapted for bariatric use, along with key ward facilities such as waiting rooms, nurse stations, a multidisciplinary team (MDT) room, consultation room, and a reception.
It is being funded with the support of a £17m investment in the new National Treatment Centre, which includes two additional operating theatres and an additional state-of-the-art MRI scanner to increase surgical and diagnostic capacity.
Work began in June and the new ward is expected to be operational early next year.
By opting for Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), the ward can be delivered in a considerably-quicker time than traditional construction and still meet the same high standards required.
Lee Connolly, head of project design and engineering at Portakabin, said: “With increasing pressure on the NHS, we know how much this new facility will mean to the local community and are delighted to be able to help support staff in continuing to provide high-quality, safe, and effective healthcare.
“The new Forth Valley facility will form part of a network of new National Treatment Centres being developed to increase capacity and reduce waiting times across NHS Scotland.
“A modular solution from Portakabin enables the hospital to quickly adapt to keep up with changing patient demands, without comprising on quality or complexity.
“The facility has all the capabilities of a typical build, with a shorter programme time, thanks to the flexibility and speed of modular construction.”