The First Minister has opened a state-of-the-art healthcare village.

The new £15 million Aberdeen community health and care village, which provides healthcare facilities for local people, was officially opened today.

The new complex is the first design, build and finance package to be completed in Scotland under the Scottish Futures Trust's hub framework. The new facility which opens to the public later this month will provide a wide range of diagnostic and treatment services and a learning and information point for patients, carers and staff in the community.

During his visit to the new health and care village, Mr Salmond paid tribute to Scotland's health and emergency service staff highlighting the on-going tragic events in Glasgow as a poignant reminder of their unfailing dedication on behalf of the people of Scotland.


The First Minister said: "The staff of Scotland's health and emergency services are the beating heart of our nation. Indeed, the response to the on-going tragic incident in Glasgow serve as a poignant reminder of their unfailing dedication to keeping the people of Scotland safe, well and healthy. They continue to be an inspiration to us all and we are immensely proud of the invaluable contribution they make on a daily basis.

"The superb facilities I am opening today in Aberdeen provide modern, state-of-the-art services ensuring that the dedicated and committed staff here in NHS Grampian have the best possible facilities and environment in which to care for patients.

"Whether in hospitals, homes, community facilities or when dealing with challenging major incidents - the NHS and emergency service staff continue to operate at the highest level on behalf of the people of Scotland."

(CD)