SCOTLAND'S first major trauma centre has opened in Aberdeen.
The centre at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary will treat the most seriously injured patients across the north of Scotland.
It is the first of four centres due to open as part of Scotland's trauma network.
The second, in Dundee, has an opening date of November 19, while the Glasgow and Edinburgh centres are expected to be up and running by 2020/21.
Officially opening the Aberdeen facility, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: "This marks an important day in changing trauma care in Scotland for the better.
"The new centre will help our most severely injured patients and ensure patients have the best chance of a speedy recovery from their injuries.
"On top of the £15.2 million we have invested to make the network a reality, there will be a gradual increase in funding over five years with an anticipated budget of £27 million by 2021/22."
Kate Burley, Scottish Trauma Network associate director, said: "The opening of this major trauma centre in Aberdeen, the first of four major trauma centres for Scotland, is an exciting milestone and highlights the ongoing work of the Scottish Trauma Network.
"The network has been working in collaboration with NHS Boards and the Scottish Ambulance Service to enhance the services for patients with life-changing or life-threatening injuries."
Dr Iain MacLeod, unit clinical director for the centre, said the "exciting and innovative approach" to trauma medicine involves medical professionals working together from start to finish – with the ambulance service before the patient is admitted to hospital to community-based rehabilitation teams once they return home.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here