Hopes for new health centre are killed off as upgrade plans revealed
Old building to be revamped and outreach hub created
An eyesore health centre is to be upgraded after years of indecision by the NHS.
It means community hopes of a major replacement for the decript Bishopton Health Centre have been killed off.
Instead, a smaller outreach surgery will eventually be built to serve the burgeoning Dargavel estate.
Thousands of pounds are finally to be spent on the flat-roofed centre off Greenock Road.
Plans have been lodged this week by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to give the centre a new look.
But the health board confirmed a spin-off smaller surgery will ultimately be built at Dargavel.
Village conservative councillor James MacLaren said: “The health board has failed to meet the needs of the Bishopton community for far too long.
“These repairs should have been carried out long before now.
“It seems extremely insufficient to be making repairs to a building that isn’t fit for purpose, at the same time that they are planning to build a satellite health centre in Bishopton.
“The pleas from the community and myself for a new health centre, fit to serve patients in the modern age have been repeatedly ignored.
“The health board needs to engage with the local community and be upfront about why these repairs are taking place at this moment on the existing site, rather than just getting on with the newbuild.”
Drawings being considered with
Renfrewshire Council show new metal cladding, new signs and concrete paving.
The main entrance is to be given a glass and galvinised steel weather protection canopy.
Modern lighting, safety bollards and new window guard will be installed and the building will be repainted.
New accommodation will also be created inside.
The move follows eight years of stalemate as leaders in the booming village campaigned for an all-new facility.
The Express revealed 15 months ago the fury at the glacial pace of action, despite BAE Systems pledging £1million for a new practice and donating land near Bishopton railway station.
David Woodrow, chairman of Bishopton Community Council said: “BAE Systems is putting up this incredible amount and the problem is the health board simply will not commit.
“Everybody in Bishopton is being let down by their indecision.”
The health centre opened in 1973 as a three-doctor practice.
It now has six GPs - but in the last eight years Bishopton’s population has soared from under 5,000 to nearly 12,000.
BAE Systems is developing 4,000 homes on the 2,350 acre former British Ordnance explosives factory and put up a new site and cash for the health centre as part of the agreement.
In 2020, NHSGGC said Bishopton was being considered through a wider capital planning strategy in partnership with Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership, which confirmed yesterday “significant progress” has been made.
A spokesman said: “Partners, including Renfrewshire Council, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership and BAE Systems, are working together to progress these plans to build upon existing provision.
“This work includes immediate work to provide minor refurbishment with the existing health centre site.
“Subject to planning approval, this includes the creation of some additional accommodation space, which will support general consultation and treatment room requirements for the practice, as well as providing accommodation for community-based health and social care services.
“It is anticipated that this work will begin in early 2022 and be completed by early summer.
“Separately, work has been progressing to take forward a proposal to develop a newbuild facility, which will provide an additional facility within the Dargavel development to address the current and projected requirements.
“Further details on this aspect of the development are to be announced.
“Together, these two important developments will allow us to make best use of the primary care estate within the Bishopton area.
“They will create additional capacity in the centre of the new Dargavel development, therefore serving each of these communities in a local setting.
“It also enables a clear way forward for how we can plan and health and social care services that meet community needs.”
Councillor James MacLaren