LOCAL health chiefs have launched work on a new £21.5million community hospital in Ayrshire.

LOCAL health chiefs have launched work on a new £21.5million community hospital in Ayrshire.

Board chairman, Professor Bill Stevely, performed the official sod-cutting ceremony to mark the launch of the facility in Girvan.

The new building will house the town's two general practices, along with in-patient accommodation, a rehabilitation unit, outpatient department, community casualty facilities and x-ray.

It will have 26 in-patient beds, and the Bridgefield site will also host the Scottish Ambulance Service and South Ayrshire Council's Social Services, including offices and interview accommodation.

The innovative building is looking after the environment, too.

"It will use a number of renewable technologies, including a wind turbine, a biomass boiler plant which burns wood pellets to produce energy, and equipment to collect rainwater to use for flushing toilets.

Health board chief executive Dr Wai-yin Hatton, a guest at the ceremony, said: "We want to improve the quality of the health services available to the people of Girvan and the surrounding areas.

"This new hospital will allow us to provide an effective and flexible service locally.

"This is a memorable event and we are very grateful to all the staff and members of the public who have been involved in the design process so far.

"The investment in renewable technology is a clear example of how seriously the NHS Board takes its commitment to the environment, and to using sustainable resources. By recycling material and generating our own energy, we will also be able to reduce NHS Ayrshire & Arran's energy bills."

Local contractor Barr has been awarded the main contract for this development. The firm has a long standing relationship with NHS Ayrshire & Arran, having completed a number of high-profile developments.

Construction work is due to start next month, and should be completed in the winter of 2009.