Humza Yousaf confirms Lochgelly Health Centre funding "will be found"

Confirmation was provided by Health Secretary Humza Yousaf that the highly-awaited project would be funded through the Government's £10 billion investment in health infrastructure over the next ten years.

Cowdenbeath MSP Annabelle Ewing raised the issue in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday last week, stressing the needed for urgency in its delivery.

As reported by the Times in July, NHS Fife confirmed that building work on a new facility at Francis Street should begin early in 2023 and be ready to open a year later, in the first quarter of 2024.

Calls for the current centre in David Street to be replaced go back to at least 2016.

Mr Yousaf stated that the project was moving forward after Covid-related delays and that the business case was expected from NHS "early next year".

Ms Ewing sought confirmation and assurance that funding for the the replacement centre in Lochgelly would be made available.

In response, the health secretary said: "I know this has been a longer process than anybody would have liked. She (Ms Ewing) will also understand, I know, that it's really, really necessary for any capital project - let alone for our health infrastructure - that we ensure that the business case does stack up.

"I'm sure also that the member absolutely does appreciate the fact that the pandemic has meant other considerations have had to be paused.

"But, I can, confirm and give absolute assurance, as she asks, that the project is moving forward. Not only moving forward, but we expect to have that outline business case - now of course it may well need refinement and we'll keep going back to NHS Fife if necessary - but absolutely when we have that outline business case I can give her confirmation that the funding will be found and it's part of our £10 billion capital infrastructure project moving forward."

Speaking after the commitment from Humza Yousaf, Ms Ewing said: "I am delighted to have received absolute assurance from the Cabinet Secretary for Health that not only is the planned replacement health centre for Lochgelly still in the Scottish Government’s health infrastructure plans as part of a £10 billion package but that the project is indeed moving forward.

“The Cabinet Secretary also acknowledged the frustration that is felt by my constituents with the extend to which this project has been delayed – we all understand the impact that the Covid pandemic has had on so many things.

“As I said to the Cabinet Secretary, time is moving on and there is a need for urgency in the process. I look forward to hearing that the Business Case has been submitted by NHS Fife and that we truly are moving forward with this very important and much needed project.”