RESIDENTS across the Three Towns are being encouraged to vote for a name for the new £46million adult acute mental health facility and community hospital at the Ayrshire Central Hospital.

The closing date for votes is 5pm on Friday, February 27 and the name with the most number of votes will then be presented to Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board for final approval.

The new name will be unveiled on Monday, March 30.

A list has been compiled which all have a focus on nature to reflect the building’s surroundings and the art theme which will run through the facility.

The list is Woodside, Woodland View, Parklands, Woodlands and Greenacres.

The new name is needed to allow NHS Ayrshire & Arran to order the signage for the new building ahead of its completion in spring 2016. In addition to providing a community hospital for the people of North Ayrshire and housing elderly inpatient wards, it will also incorporate mental health inpatient services for adults from across Ayrshire and Arran.

People can vote for their favourite in a number of ways from online voting, using a voting card or by telephone.

John Scott, Head of Capital Planning and Project Director, said: “We are appealing to people to help us choose the name of this major health facility.

"While this facility is in North Ayrshire, the adult mental health inpatient services are an Ayrshire-wide service so we are hoping that we will get response from all over Ayrshire.

“This new building belongs to the community and as such we hope that members of the public, staff, service-users and patients will get involved and vote on which name they prefer.” You can vote at SurveyMonkey at surveymonkey.com/s/achnewbuild calling free to 0800 169 1441 or emailing NACH@aapct.scot.nhs.uk.