Health centre on way after years on the waiting list

Published on Wednesday 12 March 2008 09:29

A LONG-AWAITED new health centre has received a cash windfall from the Scottish Government.

The Musselburgh centre was due to open in 2012. However, health chiefs will now try and bring that date forward.

It is expected to cost around 15 million, although a final business case is still being worked on, and will be home to three GPs and a range of outpatient services.

It is to be built on the same old Brunton Wireworks site as a new Tesco supermarket, residential and day-care services for the elderly, and flats. NHS Lothian, which will receive a total of 51m, was the biggest winner in the Scottish Government's latest capital funding announcement.

John Matheson, director of finance at NHS Lothian, said: "This annual funding allocation will be used to support our ambitious ten-year capital plan which supports our agreed service modernisation programme."

"This involves a number of projects which are currently being finalised, including the Musselburgh Primary Care Centre."

"It will provide new accommodation for three GP practices and related healthcare services and clinics."

Independent Musselburgh councillor John Caldwell added: "This is good news which has been long waited for."

"I've been fighting for this for quite some time, and if they can now accelerate the programme I would be delighted. It's something that is badly needed because it has dragged on for quite a while and people have got very frustrated."