Health centre work starts two years late
Doune base due to open in 2017 dogged by delays
Work is finally underway to construct a new health centre for Doune, more than two years after it was expected to be completed.
With the official contract signed, a ceremonial sod-cutting took place on Tuesday to mark the occasion and the £2.7 million development is now expected to be operational in 2019.
The new health centre in Springbank Road will replace a smaller building which has become overcrowded due to the growing population of the village.
It will host a wide range of services, including physiotherapy, podiatry and counselling and could include services to support people with long-term conditions.
In addition there will be support and advice on diet, exercise, managing medicines and giving up smoking.
The centre will have improved facilities for the existing GP practice and accommodation for a range of visiting outpatient services such as antenatal and child health clinics.
Around £200,000 is being spent on new equipment, furniture and fittings.
NHS Forth Valley chairman Alex Linkston said: “This new healthcare facility will provide improved accommodation and facilities for patients and staff and make it easier for people to access a wide range of care and support in their local community.”
The new Doune health centre is being developed through Hub East Central Scotland, a partnership between public and private sector organisations.
Its chief executive Gary Bushnell said: “We look forward to delivering a high-quality medical centre that is designed and built to meet the needs of thecommunity it will serve.”
NHS Forth Valley originally approved outline plans for the centre in January 2016 with an estimated completion date of spring 2017.
Last summer, when work had still to start on the facility, health secretary Shona Robison gave an assurance that the centre would be completed by the end of 2018.
After further delay work was to have started this summer, only to be put back again until this month.
Trossachs and Teith Tory councillor Jeremy McDonald said: “I was very pleased to be at the ceremony. This project has been very delayed so seeing something finally happen is good.
“Along with the community council I will keep pushing for the facility to be open for business as quickly as possible.
“Let us hope that it will be ready before the announced date of September 2019.
“Doune desperately needs its new health centre and the ceremony to officially open it is the one we all want to be at as soon as possible.”
The ceremony to officially open it is the one we all want to be at as soon as possible