A MOVE has been made at the Scottish Parliament to get a timeline on when Lochgelly families can expect a new health centre.

Fife MSP Alex Rowley is calling on NHS Fife to say when a decision will be taken on the funding for a new health centre in the town.

Lochgelly Community Council has been leading a campaign to get a new health base on the green area in Francis Street but last year there was a delay when the Scottish Government wanted more information on the project.

The current David Street facility is seen to be far too small to deal with the rising population of Lochgelly.

Mr Rowley tabled a written Parliamentary question asking the Scottish Government what funding was being made available for the new centre and when it is likely to begin being built.

In response, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Shona Robison, said; “NHS Fife are in the process of developing an initial agreement for a new health centre in Lochgelly which will then be submitted to the NHS Capital Investment Group for review. At that point, it will become clearer as to what the likely capital costs and expected timescales are going to be.”

Speaking to the Times, the Kelty-based Labour politician said that the question of whether Lochgelly is or is not getting funding for a new health centre has gone on for too long.

He said: “I am being contacted more and more by people saying, when are we getting the new centre, which seems to have been promised and yet there is no definitive answer. This is why I am now pushing NHS Fife to set a timeline and confirm that it is definitely going to happen.”

He continued: “In recent months, the practice in Lochgelly has been struggling to recruit GPs and there is a view locally that the condition of the current medical centre will certainly not be a draw in attracting people to come and work in Lochgelly.

“Local people have heard all the promises, they now want NHS Fife and the Government to deliver.”