An award winning new £2.7 million Health and Care Centre has been officially opened by the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport, Shona Robison.
The new Shields Health and Care Centre is a modern, purpose built facility for the people of East Pollokshields.
The innovative new centre offers local people the ability to see a wide range of community services all under the one roof – and also includes a self-sustaining community garden which is managed by a third sector organisation, Urban Roots.
Health Secretary, Shona Robison, said: “I’m pleased to be here today at the official opening of the Shields Health and Care Centre. It is a fantastic facility, bringing together a number of essential NHS and local council services under one roof.
“The community garden is an excellent addition to the centre and rightly puts this facility at the heart of the East Pollokshields community. The centre is already well-used by local residents and I’ve no doubt the new facility will be one that the community can rightly be proud of.
“The Shields Health and Care Centre is one of three health centres opened in the NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde area in the last two years, with a further two under construction and four in the pipeline. The Scottish Government has supported these projects as part of over £2 billion of investment in Scotland’s health infrastructure over four years, to 2015-16.”
The centre houses two GP Practices, district nursing, health visitors, social work and health improvement teams offering a range of services such as smoking cessation support.
Other services such as primary care mental health services and money advice are also provided to support local people.
The centre opened its doors to patients earlier this year but was today visited by the Cabinet Secretary who officially opened it while meeting staff as she toured the new centre.
Andrew Robertson, NHSGGC Chairman, said: “I am delighted to welcome the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing to this new health and care centre.
“The Centre is uniquely placed to address the needs of the local population, bringing together a range of community services in an environment which is welcoming, modern and fully accessible.”
The design and construction of the new Centre was undertaken by hub West Scotland who appointed CBC as main contractor and Anderson Bell Christie as architects.
Debbie McNamara from hub West Scotland said: “We are proud to have delivered this innovative health facility; providing first class services for the local community.”
Earlier this year the Shields Health and Care Centre was a joint winner in the ‘Health’ category of the prestigious Royal Institute of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) Awards.