NHS Ayrshire & Arran is giving locals the chance to have a sneak preview of the new combined assessment unit at University Hospital Ayr.

The new unit will open its doors for the day on Saturday May 6 between 10am and 12pm, with staff on hand to provide tours of the department and answer questions.

The tours will begin from the entrance to the unit, which is beside the emergency department of the hospital.

The 24-hour unit will start admitting patients from May 20, and will contain 29 single en-suite rooms, 12 ambulatory care bays, five rapid assessment bays, two outpatient rooms and three initial assessment bays.

Liz Moore, Director for Acute Services said: "The CAU has facilities to assess and treat patients so that only those who need further inpatient care are admitted to hospital.

"Other patients can receive treatment in the CAU and return safely to their own homes as soon as possible.

"This is a new way of working which will help to improve patient experience and reduce pressure on the rest of the hospital system."