Staff who previously worked at Westbank and Dunrowan day hospitals are now working under one roof at the newly created Woodlands Resource Centre based in the grounds of Falkirk Community Hospital.
They have been joined by colleagues from Falkirk Council, bringing the number of employees at the new facility to around 70. These include doctors, nurses, psychologists, physiotherapists, dieticians, mental health officers and social workers.
Kathy O’Neill, NHS Forth Valley’s General Manager for Community Health Services, said: “Bringing separate mental health services and teams together in the one place makes it easier for staff to work together and provide a more joined-up and co-ordinated service. It will also help speed up the referral process to ensure local people are seen and assessed as quickly as possible.”
The centre, which was opened by NHS Forth Valley Chairman Alex Linkston, is housed in two former hospital wards which underwent an extensive £2m refurbishment to create a variety of group and individual therapy rooms, as well as garden areas and courtyards.
The Centre also provides a range of personal development, social and recreational activities such as gardening, art therapy, music classes and Tai Chi to help support patient’s recovery and improve their quality of life.
Photo caption – NHS Forth Valley Chairman Alex Linkston (Far left) and Councillor Allyson Black (back row second from left) joined members of staff for the official opening.
