A new Lochgelly Health Centre has been listed as one of the projects that could be stood down if its business case “doesn’t represent value for money”.
The Scottish Government published a document naming areas set to receive funding after its budget for 2026-2027 was revealed last week.
The dilapidated David Street facility features as one of three initial projects in the government’s primary care investment programme. They come under the “development” section of the current administration’s infrastructure delivery pipeline.
An accompanying statement explains: “Our expectation is that, through a mutual investment model (MIM), a significant programme of community health centres can be delivered over the coming decade.”
In a letter to Health Secretary Neil Gray, Cowdenbeath MSP Annabelle Ewing wrote: “It appears that these latter projects are not guaranteed to proceed.”
She also raised concerns that “no timescale, even indicative, is set forth”.
Tomorrow will see Ms Ewing meet with Mr Gray, and she’s expected to seek clarification on the plan moving forward.
It comes after she called for its inclusion in the budget, commenting: “Surely in all fairness it must be Lochgelly’s turn now?”
Money for the £13m centre was first promised in 2011, and in 2021 Humza Yousaf said that it would be found.
NHS Fife had expected work to start in early 2023, before campaigners were told that funding for such capital projects won’t be confirmed until the “second half of the decade.”
There is already planning permission in place for a new site on Francis Street, which was approved by Fife Council last February.
Mr Gray was shown around the current facility in 2024, witnessing first hand conditions medical staff described as “water coming through the ceilings and staff working in cupboards with no windows”.
Ahead of tomorrow’s meeting, Ms Ewing said: “Having now had an opportunity to take an initial look at the Scottish Government’s infrastructure delivery pipeline document published alongside the Scottish budget, I have written to the cabinet secretary for health seeking a range of clarifications and assurances.
“Whilst I do indeed welcome the fact that a new medical centre for Lochgelly has been mentioned in the document, I have a number of questions that I know my constituents will want to hear the answers to.
“I look forward to meeting the minister to discuss these and other questions around the urgent need to deliver a new medical centre for Lochgelly.”
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