THE chair of Cowdenbeath Area Committee has this week aired her dismay at the news that the much needed new Lochgelly Health Centre is facing delay.

Councillor Linda Erskine has been told that the project's momentum has been set back.

The councillor said this week: "In March Health Minister Shona Robison stated that, the Scottish Government was aware of the pressures facing general practice and are fully committed to supporting a model of sustainable general practice. She also announced an additional £71.6 million which would be invested in direct support of General Practice, helping to transform the way services are delivered in the community.

"I recentIy received a letter from NHS updating me on the progress made so far on Lochgelly Health Centre. I had hoped that we would be moving forward towards a new facility in Lochgelly but to my dismay there has been no progress in this matter, despite the Initial Agreement Document being accepted by Fife Health & Social Care Partnership and NHS Fife".

The Benarty, Lochgelly and Cardenden councillor added: "To date I have participated with health professionals, academics, NHS finance, Fife Council officers and community representatives in workshops which formed part of the consultation process. At these workshops we took time to ensure that every aspect of what is needed in a replacement centre was covered. We now find that some “additional detail” is required by the Scottish Government.

"Six months on from these workshops we find we are facing another delay with no idea how long this 'delay' will take to resolve, if at all.

"Meanwhile due to the house build going on at The Avenue there will be over one hundred new families taking up residence from February next year.

"With our Health Centre doctors and staff already under severe pressure to treat patients, this additional population will stretch the system to breaking point.

"I am asking for the support of all local MP’s and MSP’s to try and get this project delivered. This campaign has been going on for more than four years and apart from a few meetings and some drawings presented we are no nearer having our health needs met in the Lochgelly area.

"This is no vanity project, a new centre is desperately needed to support the health of those who live in our area. I sincerely hope that politicians of all parties will support their communities and help us bring a Health Centre to a reality".

Lochgelly Community Council is equally unhappy at the situation.

Said secretary Stevie Murray: "The Community Council expressed a clear opinion on Wednesday that this is nothing more than a delaying tactic.

"It has clearly evidenced that there is a desperate need for a new health facility for the town. With more houses being built in the town more pressure will be placed on the health services in the Lochgelly.

"We have been pushing and campaigning for a health centre that is able to support the town for a good few years now and were over the moon when the NHS finally supported our views and submitted proposals to the Scottish Government stating as much.

"We will now be writing the Health Minister to ask her to provide some clarity and explain to the people of the town why we face more delays. We urge everyone to contact our local MSPs and demand they support the campaign for a new Health Centre."