University Hospital Ayr
| University Hospital Ayr | |
|---|---|
| NHS Ayrshire and Arran | |
 University Hospital Ayr | |
 | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Ayr, South Ayrshire, Scotland |
| Organisation | |
| Care system | NHS Scotland |
| Type | District general |
| Affiliated university | University of the West of Scotland |
| Services | |
| Emergency department | Yes Accident & Emergency |
| Beds | 333 |
| History | |
| Opened | 1991 |
| Links | |
| Website | www |
| Lists | Hospitals in Scotland |
University Hospital Ayr is a General Hospital on the outskirts of Ayr, Scotland. It is operated by NHS Ayrshire and Arran and covers a catchment area of approximately 100,000 people including the towns of Ayr, Prestwick, Troon, Girvan and Maybole in South Ayrshire.
It has 333 beds[1] and provides a number of services including Vascular Surgery, Ophthalmology and Audiology.[2]
History
The Ayr Hospital opened in 1991 following the closure of three Ayr hospitals: Heathfield (medical), Seafield (paediatric) and Ayr County (surgical). The Hospital was built next to the psychiatric hospital, Ailsa Hospital.
The grounds were previously home to the grounds of Glengall lunatic asylum built in 1869, and featured a 9 hole golf course for staff of the asylum to use.
While in the planning stages, it had been referred to as the "South Ayrshire District General Hospital" but this name was abandoned after its counterpart in the North of the county, which opened 10 years earlier, came to be referred to as "Nadge" until it took on the name of its locality (Crosshouse).
It was called Ayr Hospital until March 2012 when the board decided to change the name to University Hospital Ayr, as a result of a partnership with the University of the West of Scotland.[3]
The hospital has come under public spotlight after the A&E was due to close and services transferred to Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock. The SNP government did not allow the planned closure to go ahead, a decision welcomed by most. This has led to cuts being made in other areas of health in Ayrshire. Ayr also has a Doctor On Call Service which is run from Kilmarnock, University Hospital Crosshouse.
References
- ^ "Key facts about NHS Ayrshire & Arran". NHS Ayrshire and Arran. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
- ^ "University Hospital Ayr". NHS Ayrshire and Arran. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
- ^ Wilson, Caroline (20 February 2012). "Anger as hospitals are given new names 'out of the blue'". Evening Times. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
