With Strathmore patients now benefiting from the new GP unit at Blairgowrie Community Hospital, following the completion of a £2.36 million redevelopment project, the attention can now turn to the official opening.

This honour will be carried out by local Perthshire North MSP John Swinney, albeit in his capacity as Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, on Monday the 11^th May.

Speaking ahead of the visit John Swinney said:

“I am very pleased to see the result of this investment in our Scottish NHS here in Blairgowrie. The face of healthcare is changing across Scotland as we seek to improve our service delivery models. Central to this are facilities located in communities such as this updated one here supporting East Perthshire.

“This service now offers an upgraded GP ward facility offering both single and twin en-suite rooms, a welcome advance and very appropriate to modern care standards.

“Enhanced physiotherapy and occupational therapy rehabilitation areas, together with the Minor Injury and Illness Unit (MIIU), will also now give our NHS professionals added scope to deliver appropriate treatments locally.”

Concluding John Swinney said:

“This capital investment was funded by NHS Tayside including resources from their NHS Endowment Fund but £63,000 of the £2.36m total was donated by The Friends of Blairgowrie Community Hospital group which is a tremendous gesture and reflects the value of this facility to our communities.

“This upgrade is very much appropriate for our growing population here in this part of Perthshire and it recognises the changing demands on our NHS. I am very pleased to see this improvement delivered and honoured to officially open this new unit.”