Kilsyth health centre takes another step towards development

PLANS for a new £7.8 million community health centre in Kilsyth have taken another step closer to reality.

NHS Lanarkshire approved the outline business case for the development next to the swimming pool in Kilsyth town centre at its board meeting on Wednesday, February 27.

The proposals are to replace the current facility at Burngreen Park with a purpose-built, modern community health centre which will provide a wide range of services including GP practice, mental health, podiatry, physiotherapy, speech and language, NHS dental practice and other local clinics.

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Ian Ross, NHS Lanarkshire’s chief executive, said: “Our aim is to deliver a first class health centre for the people of Kilsyth. This is an exciting development that will offer excellent premises for a wide range of local health services including additional local services. Approval of the outline business case marks another significant step towards the development of the new facility.”

A planning application for the health centre was submitted to North Lanarkshire Council in December, and it is expect to be considered by the planning committee this month.

The health board says extensive work has taken place with staff and other stakeholders to ensure the building meets the needs of patients and delivers high quality community health services.

Car parking has also been carefully considered so that there are sufficient spaces to meet the needs of patients and staff visiting the facility.

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NHS Lanarkshire hope to develop three new health centres in total – East Kilbride, Wishaw and Kilsyth, and they will now submit the outline business case for the developments to the Scottish Government on March 5. If the projects are given approval to proceed, NHS Lanarkshire hopes to complete the Kilsyth facility during 2015.

MSP Jamie Hepburn welcomed the progress and said: “This is great news for Kilsyth and I’m sure that the local community will join me in welcoming this news. I have been contacted by several constituents regarding this issue and I am certain that the people of Kilsyth will be pleased to learn that this project is one step closer to becoming reality.

“The improved facilities and services which will be provided by the new Community Health Centre in Kilsyth, will no doubt change and improve the experience that people in the area have with their local health service.

“I am also glad to learn that adequate parking for both patients and staff has been taken into consideration when planning this new health centre, as such facilities are severely lacking at the current location.”

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