Funding move offers hope for two new health centres in Fife
Plans to replace two health centres in Fife have taken a step forward after the Scottish Government agreed to include both in their capital funding plans.
Plans for new facilities in Lochgelly and Kincardine are to be escalated, NHS Fife chief executive William Edwards confirmed at a board meeting this week.
Campaigners in Lochgelly have been fighting for a fit for purpose health centre since funding for a new building was kicked into the long grass.
It is three years since residents packed a public meeting to speak out about the crumbling centre - and the urgent need for a new one to help attract health staff to work in the town.
A number of politicians, including MSPs Claire Baker and Alex Rowley, have raised the matter on a number of occasions. When Michael Matheson, then Health Secretary, visited, he was met with a peaceful protest.
NHS Fife promised to replace the David Street facility by 2019, but work never started. In 2023, it was kicked into the long grass after a decision by the Scottish Government to adopt a phased approach to capital expenditure meant it couldn't be delivered within planned timescales.
Mr Edwards told board members he had received “positive information” from Allan Morrison, the deputy director for health infrastructure and sustainability at the Scottish Government.
“Ministers have agreed to escalate Lochgelly and Kincardine replacements through the capital funding route. It is really welcome news,” he said. “There will be official engagement with the team in NHS Fife around the next steps required to move forward with that process.
“This represents a significant step forward for the communities of both Lochgelly and Kincardine.”
Board chairperson Pat Kilpatrick also welcomed the news.
“I am sure colleagues at Lochgelly and Kincardine are delighted,” she said. “It is an exciting development of two primary care centres. It is exactly what we need in terms of population health boards in the community.
“We have been out there having difficult discussions and I kept saying I do not have the money. It is good news.”
Following the announcement, NHS Fife has issued a statement on the development.
Neil McCormick, director of property and asset management, said: “NHS Fife welcomes confirmation from the Scottish Government that the proposed new Lochgelly and Kincardine Health Centres will now progress through a capital-funded route as part of the Primary and Community Care Infrastructure Programme.
“This is an important next step for both projects and provides a clear route for NHS Fife to continue developing our plans for modern, fit-for-purpose health facilities serving the communities of Lochgelly, Kincardine and the surrounding areas.
“NHS Fife has been working closely with the Scottish Government to make the case for the investment required to develop these facilities and welcome the opportunity to move forward to the next stage of the process.
“There remains further work to do before the projects can move towards delivery, and we will continue to work closely with the Scottish Government and our partners as the proposals develop and move through the established capital planning and approval process.
“We recognise the considerable local interest in these developments and the importance that patients, communities, staff and local representatives place on improving primary and community healthcare facilities in both areas. We remain committed to providing further updates to as the projects progress and as further details are confirmed.”