96,000 carers in Scotland to receive payments from today SNP MSP Siobhian Brown has highlighted that carers in South Ayrshire are set to get a welcome boost to their finances ahead of Christmas.   More than 96,000 carers across Scotland will receive the Carer’s Allowance Supplement payment with money being paid into accounts from today (Thursday 4 th December). The Carer's Allowance Supplement is an extra payment of £293.50, currently made twice a year, for people in Scotlan

Keeping your loved ones safe - Visiting restrictions across all sites Like many Health Boards across Scotland, NHS Ayrshire & Arran is seeing a sharp rise in viral respiratory infections, including flu. This is placing significant pressure on our hospitals. To protect patients, visitors, and staff, we have made the difficult decision to suspend routine visiting across all hospitals from Thursday 4 December. Only essential visits will be supported. We will review the situation

Girvan Library is celebrating national recognition after its Lend and Mend Hub Initiative was named the winner of the Project Excellence 2025 category at this year’s Scottish Library and Information Council Awards. The award highlights an initiative that has made a meaningful difference to local residents by promoting sustainability, learning and practical support within the community. The Lend and Mend Hub has become a valuable resource, offering tools, equipment, repair adv

University Hospital Crosshouse’s Chemotherapy Ward has received a new medical device designed to make treatment more comfortable, thanks to a fundraising effort led by local resident June Murphy. Left to right: Ward staff pictured with Shauni sitting in chair and June far right June launched the appeal to support family friend Shauni Lambie, 30, from Stevenston, who has been receiving treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the hospital for more than three years. After witnessing

Ayrshire Maternity Unit has received a donation of £10,785 from Olivia Bentham and her partner Daniel Young to support its bereavement services. Left to right: Senior Charge Midwife Gillian, Olivia and Daniel and Midwife, Rachel Coleman The Irvine couple launched their ‘Giving Back for Bowie’ fundraiser earlier this year in honour of their son, Bowie. Daniel, alongside some family members, completed the Scottish Half Marathon in June, raising £6,150. A charity night held duri

Do you want to prevent your old or unused bras from going to landfill? Well look no further than the new bra recycling station at Saltcoats Library. The local North Ayrshire library is calling on members of the public to donate bras via a new and convenient bra recycling point, located at the library reception to raise vital funds for secondary spread breast cancer research. Introduced in partnership with charity Against Breast Cancer, the recycling station allows Saltcoats L

The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) has boosted its staffing by bringing in almost 100 new recruits ahead of winter. The extra staff were announced today (Tuesday, 11 November) by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray while visiting the Service’s East Ambulance Control Centre (ACC) in South Queensferry. The new staff include 25 call handlers who are based in the Service’s ambulance control centres and 22 staff, including GPs, clinical advisors and advan

In recognition of World Stroke Day on 29 October 2025, the Physiotherapy Team at University Hospital Crosshouse launched a unique and impactful initiative to raise awareness of stroke symptoms, promote recovery through exercise and remind residents of Ayrshire and Arran to access urgent help if they have any symptoms of stroke. Throughout the month of October, patients in the stroke ward at University Hospital Crosshouse were invited to take part in a cycle challenge using th

A patient at University Hospital Crosshouse was able to see her son marry in a heartwarming ceremony arranged by dedicated hospital staff. Photo: NHS Ayrshire & Arran Carol, from North Ayrshire, who was receiving care on the hospital’s gynaecology ward while in the later stages of cancer, watched proudly as her son James, 38, and his partner Shoni, 30, from South Ayrshire, exchanged vows in an emotional ceremony held on the ward last month. The couple had originally planned t

This year people most at risk of serious illness from COVID-19 are being invited to come forward for a vaccine, which will be given along with their seasonal flu shot at the same appointment. Image - Market Chemist Patients being offered both vaccines include adults aged 75 years and older, residents in care homes for older adults and people aged six months and older who are immunosuppressed. In Ayrshire, letters with appointment details for those being invited to our communi

A network of walk-in GP clinics will open as part of work to improve access to primary care. The clinics, which would be staffed by GPs, nurses and support staff, will be open seven days a week, 12:00-20:00, in addition to existing primary care services. They will provide a range of same-day assessments, diagnostics and treatment. Fifteen clinics in sites across Scotland will proceed initially to test the benefits for patients. Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Improving acce

Patients in Ayrshire and Arran who have been waiting more than 26 weeks for an inpatient or day case procedure are being urged to look...

A new national mental health facility for young people is set to open in Ayrshire early next year. Photo: NHSAAA Work is nearing...

Single-use vapes will no longer be stocked or sold in Scotland under new legislation which comes into force today (Sunday 1 June). The...

South Ayrshire Council, in partnership with Ayrshire Roads Alliance (ARA) are pleased to announce that they have been successful in...

With GP practices being closed on Monday 5 May 2025, Ayrshire and Arran residents are being urged to check who to turn to if they need...

Leading Scottish respiratory paediatricians, health charity ASH Scotland and Ayrshire & Arran’s Youth Vaping Taskforce are urging the...

With many people indulging in more sugary treats than normal over the Easter weekend, NHS 24 has shared their expert advice on where and...

Health Secretary Neil Gray has set out how the Scottish Government plans to improve access to treatment, reduce waiting times and shift...

NHS Ayrshire & Arran and the three Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCPs) have retained a top UNICEF accolade for...