A DOCTOR who had worked in the Forth Valley will be remembered after a plaque was unveiled at the hospital in Larbert.

Dr Pat Beausang tragically lost his life to leukaemia at the age of just 43 in 2009 and had worked in the area for nine years.

Describes as a "larger than life character with a lovely disposition", he was a consultant physician in ageing and health.

The memorial plaque in his name was unveiled at Forth Valley Royal Hospital's lecture theatre and will record the names of speakers who have given the Pat Beausang Memorial Lecture, which has become an annual event.

A watercolour image, reflecting the former doctor's love of running up to Stirling Castle and along the Carse, had also been presented to the Intensive Care Unit by his family.

Sister Hilary Beausang and wife Cat recently met with Dr Catherine Calderwood, chief medical officer for Scotland, who gave this year's memorial lecture on Realistic Medicine.

Mrs Beausang said: "I'm really excited its happening and people will get to see the legacy he left behind."

Sister Hilary added: "I thought people would have forgotten him, but it's so lovely they haven't."

The annual lecture from Dr Calderwood emphasised the need for patients to be involved in shared decision making with their healthcare professionals.

She explained realistic medicine recognises that a one size fits all approach to health and social care is not the most effective path for neither the patient nor the NHS.