THE planned new Lochgelly Health Centre could come a lot closer in November when a key stage of the process is reached.

Cowdenbeath MSP Annabelle Ewing, is pleased to have received confirmation from both Nicky Conner, the Interim Director of Fife Health & Social Care Partnership; and the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Jeane Freeman, that the Initial Agreement Document (IAD) regarding a new Lochgelly Health & Wellbeing Centre, has now been submitted to the Scottish Government’s Capital Investment Group and will be discussed at their November meeting.

The Fife Health and Social Care Partnership would like to see the new facility constructed in the town's Francis Street.

Speaking on Thursday, Ms Ewing said: “I am pleased to receive these official confirmations as this is an important step in the process towards delivering a much-needed new Health & Wellbeing Centre for Lochgelly.

“I am heartened to learn that the revised Initial Agreement Document – effectively the business case for the new Health & Wellbeing Centre – has finally been agreed by the NHS Fife Board at their September meeting, and has now been submitted to the Scottish Government Capital Investment Group".

The MSP added: “The Cabinet Secretary has confirmed that it will be considered at a meeting on November 11.

“Progress on this has been disappointingly slow, for some reason, but I am pleased to see that the pace seems to be picking up and I look forward, with anticipation, to hearing the results of that meeting in November.”

At the September meeting of NHS Fife members considered a report which described the current David Street facility as 'not fit for purpose.'

It also criticised the current health centre as providing problems for staff in that the layout and fabric of the building placed considerable limitations on effective and safe service delivery.

The report categorically backed a new build replacement in Francis Street, on the site that was cleared of flatted accommodation some years ago and is now a large grassed area.