A major milestone in the construction of the new Gorbals Health and Care Centre took place today when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Shona Robison MSP, cut the first sod at a special ceremony.

This project represents a significant investment in the area with a cost of just over £17 million and will provide a wide range of benefits for the community it serves. This includes the transfer of four General Practices, one Dental Practice and other primary and community care services from the current health centre, as well as the introduction of other services, including specialist children’s services, community addictions services and social work services.

The new centre is being delivered as a partnership with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC), Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (GCHSCP), Glasgow City Council and Development Partner Hub West Scotland and their main contractor Morgan Sindall.

This new building provides an opportunity to reshape services from a patient and service user perspective with care that is more integrated, accessible and efficient.

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Shona Robison MSP, said: “I’m delighted to be here today to take part in the sod-cutting ceremony for this fantastic new development.

“I am very pleased that this new health centre will provide the modern facilities and equipment that people expect of a first class, 21st century health service. I am confident that everyone who works in this new facility, and all the patients who pass through its doors in the years ahead, will benefit greatly as a result.

“Investment in health services continues to be a top priority for the Scottish Government. Indeed, these facilities are just one of many being completed across Scotland, including in Glasgow, all of which demonstrate not just our continued commitment to investment in health, but to capital investment generally.”

NHSGGC Chairman, John Brown, added: “I am delighted to see the commencement of this new centre which will provide high quality health and care facilities under one roof.

“I am also pleased that the local community have been involved in this project through a programme of engagement activities including public meetings, visits to Community Councils and resident groups, newsletter articles and so on – in fact we have two local residents as members of the project Board who have made an invaluable contribution by acting as a liaison with the local community, giving feedback about the design and bringing to our attention questions or concerns from the local community

“The site itself is very well situated, being just a short distance away from the current health centre and social work offices which is incredibly fortunate as there should be minimal impact or additional travel time for people who use those services.”

The centre will also house a series of digital portraits hung throughout the building, almost like a gallery. The art strategy group, which engages with local people and staff for creative input, has already captured 500 photo portraits of local people and staff which will be on display in the new centre as part of the art work

The design and construction of the new centre is being undertaken by Hub West Scotland, a development partner to the public sector, formed to build community facilities through a collaborative approach to procurement.

Iain Marley, CEO of Hub West Scotland said: “This building is a fantastic example of collaboration and joint delivery between two significant public bodies: Glasgow City Council and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and I am proud that hub West Scotland has had the opportunity to lead the design and development of high quality facilities that will support the innovative delivery of co-located public services.”

Hub West Scotland has appointed Morgan Sindall plc as main contractor and JM Architects as architects for this project.

Harry Thorburn, managing director at Morgan Sindall in Scotland added: “This is a vital community facility and we are very pleased to be able to mark the start on site with the Cabinet Secretary today.

“We take great pride in delivering each and every building we work on and share a sense of responsibility with our partners to ensure we hand this building over on time and to budget.“