DEMOLITION work has started on the site where the new state-of-the-art Airdrie Community Health Centre is to be built. Work preparing the site began in April year with actual building work set to start in the autumn. The new development, which will be one of the largest health centres of its kind in Scotland, is expected to open in early 2012.
Ian Ross, Director of performance and planning for NHS Lanarkshire, said: "It’s great to see work get underway on this fantastic new centre which will create a first class environment for patient care that will significantly improve how we deliver community health services in the area.”
The new £27 million health centre will bring together a range of primary care and other community-based services, which will significantly improve patient access to healthcare. Services based at the centre will include: dental; podiatry; dietetics; paediatric; audiology; and physiotherapy as well as GP practices.
The community health centre will be on the site of the former Somerfield supermarket and adjoining six-storey office block on Graham Street in the town centre. The convenient location will ensure easier access to a wide range of health services.
The health centre will accommodate nine different GP Practices and a number of primary care services, serving around 50,000 patients from across the town.
The masterplan for the site includes more than 100,000 square feet over five levels. It incorporates the new health centre along with new retail properties on Graham Street and new office accommodation for North Lanarkshire Council.