A major milestone in the construction of the new Woodside 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 £20 million and will provide a wide range of benefits for the community it serves. This includes the transfer of eight General Practices, one dental practice, one pharmacy 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, social work services and an Older Person’s Day Care Service.

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.

The project represents much more than the modernisation of the existing facilities. As well as delivering a transformational improvement to the environment in which care is delivered, the new facility offers an opportunity to reshape services from a patient and service user’s perspective to provide care that is more integrated, accessible and efficient, as well as contributing to the wider goals of community regeneration and addressing health inequalities.

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

“Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership has worked closely with the local community and other partners to deliver a programme of community consultation and ongoing engagement to ensure that what is delivered at the Woodside Health and Care Centre meets the needs of the local population.

“This has included site visits to other recently completed health and care centres, public meetings, arts workshops, youth activities, visits to community projects, newsletter articles and the involvement of community representatives.

“Arts and environmental planning is also well underway to develop opportunities to enhance the external and internal aspects of the new facility, aimed at creating an environment that engages, promotes well-being and improves people’s overall experience.”

Iain Marley, CEO of Hub West Scotland said: “We are grateful for the opportunity to manage this investment and support our partner NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the Glasgow City HSCP realise their vision for integrated services.

“The development of the Woodside Health and Care Centre will demonstrate Hub West Scotland’s ability to deliver outstanding facilities and bring significant benefits to local communities.”

Hub West Scotland has appointed Morgan Sindall plc as main contractor and Page/Park as architects for this project.

Iain Kent, commercial director at Morgan Sindall in Scotland added: “We’re delighted to be continuing our successful partnership with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership, Glasgow City Council and Hub West Scotland through the delivery of the new Woodside Health and Care Centre.

“This wonderful new facility will be a fantastic addition to the Woodside area, providing the local community with new high quality health and care facilities under one roof.”