THE problems presented by Lochgelly Health Centre will go before the Fife Health Service Board today (Wednesday) and the report to be tabled indicates that the town's community council campaign is totally justified.

The newly appointed community council has been gathering members of the public's concerns over the condition of the David Street facility to back their stance that 'it is not fit for purpose'.

The 30+ year old building is constrained in space and it means that catering for a town of approaching 9,000 people is putting extreme pressure on staff and the report, which goes before the health board today, contains many comments that back the community council's stance.

In one of the comments which will go before the board is: "The AEDET review exercise confirmed that the layout and fabric of the building place considerable limitations on effective and safe service delivery.

"The proposal for investment into fit for purpose health and social care facilities in Lochgelly will not only address the current restrictions upon local delivery of clinical, community and third sector services and deficiencies in facilities at the existing Lochgelly Health Centre, but also enable the delivery of an integrated model within the Lochgelly area".

The report added: "The Lochgelly premises are functionally inadequate and compromise pro-active patient care. Physical characteristics of the building and inadequate infrastructure prevents safe and effective patient care".

It also categorically backs a new build replacement in Francis Street as the preferred option to address the issue.

If the board backs the report it will help move a position which has become 'critical' forward, but the David Street facility will be providing the health care base for some time yet.