Happy Birthday

Forth Valley Royal Hospital, which was officially opened in July 2011 by Her Majesty the Queen, is celebrating an amazing first year. In the past twelve months the hospital has seen 3,350 babies being born and more than 6l,000 people treated in the emergency department.

Other milestones include 111,000 X Ray attendances, 145,000 outpatient appointments and 14,300 inpatient and day care operations. More than 35,000 people have been admitted to inpatient wards.

The hospital, which is one of the most modern in Europe and is equipped with a state-of-the-art robotic delivery system, robotic pharmacy and mail sorting centre, has also been publicised across the world from as far afield as Russia and Japan.

Chairman Alex Linkston said the figures were impressive. He explained: “I’ve been hugely impressed with the range of services and facilities available at the new hospital. Many of these, including those in the oncology department and renal dialysis unit, have enabled more patients to be treated locally within Forth Valley. Future developments, such as the building of the new Maggie’s Centre in the hospital grounds, will also benefit cancer patients and their families.”

Chief Executive Professor Fiona Mackenzie added: “I would like to thank staff for the huge efforts they have made in the past year to achieve such excellent results. It is always difficult adjusting to a new location and ways of working. However our workforce have risen admirably to the challenge.”

The hospital also places strong emphasis on therapy and has three physiotherapy gyms. The largest is shared with the cardiac rehabilitation team who run nine weekly exercise and education classes for patients with heart conditions. Each class of up to 30 patients is part of a six week rehabilitation programme. Exercise and education classes also take place in the gym for people with respiratory problems.

NHS Forth Valley Allied Health Professional Manager for Acute Services, Pam Paul said: “Our gyms are extremely well equipped and this sort of exercise has made a huge difference to the health and wellbeing of our patients. The main gym enjoys a view of a courtyard garden which helps provide a positive outlook. In addition many of our patients enjoy the social aspect of being able to meet and chat with other people.”

The past year has also seen huge improvements to the grounds and woodland area surrounding the hospital. In a partnership with Forestry Commission Scotland and the Central Scotland Forest Trust, the area around the lochan has been cleared, a new network of paths is being developed and other initiatives are underway to further improve access.