Contractors Ogilvie Construction, who are carrying out the work on behalf of NHS Fife, arrived at the Bank Street site on Monday.

The project — which also involves the revamp of the adjoining Cupar Health Centre — is expected to be fully completed by October 2011.
In preparation for the project, in-patients from the hospital have been moved to Stratheden Hospital, but GP services and some outpatient services will remain on site during the redevelopment work.

Cupar Dental Centre, next to the hospital, will also operate as normal and should be unaffected by work on site.

The project aims to provide a 'one stop shop' to meet the healthcare needs of residents of Cupar and the surrounding area.

Phil McEwan, managing director of Ogilvie Construction, said: "We're delighted to win this contract, which will create a state-of-the-art facility for people in the north east of Fife.

"The project will include new-build as well as the modernisation of existing buildings, and also the removal of asbestos from the site.

"Various parts of the complex will also be demolished to make way for the new-look centre.

"The first phase will focus on Adamson Hospital, with patients decanted to alternative accommodation to allow work to start.

"The second phase — to start in 2011 — will refurbish the adjoining Cupar Health Centre.

"This will be managed to allow the health centre to continue operating during the refurbishment work.

"We anticipate the building work will take around 86 weeks to complete in total. We should be finished by the middle of August 2011."

Read more in this week's Fife Herald.