First steps made towards new health unit

Jul 23 2008 by Craig Robertson, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

RESIDENTS in Upper Nithsdale could see work on a long-awaited £1.5million new health centre begin early 2009.

Local councillor John Syme says he hopes to see “bricks on the ground” for the Kirkconnel clinic in the new year.

It comes after the first meeting of a project board, made up of council and NHS officials, to discuss the development of the site at the corner of Nivison Road and Corserig Crescent in Kelloholm.

Councillor Syme said: “Since being elected, the delivery of a new Health Centre in Kelloholm has been one of my top priorities and now that the project group has had its first meeting, I'm confident that there will be bricks on the ground early in the new year.

“It all looks good at this stage and I can assure that community that I and officers within the council will be keeping a close eye on progress.”

Upper Nithsdale member Jim Dempster said: “This first meeting is certainly a positive step by both of the funding partners and like many locals I look forward to seeing the laying of the first brick.”

The project board is now planning to set up two sub-groups which will be made up of members of the local community to help progress the plans. Fellow councillor Gill Dykes is urging locals to get involved in the project.

She said: “It is vital that local people are involved in the decision-making process and it’s an inclusive move to have them involved in the project management group and the two sub-groups.

“Yes, I have to say things are really moving along at a pace and I’m sure that sentiment will be endorsed by the community in Kelloholm and Kirkconnel.”

The state-of-the-art unit will bring NHS services and social work under one roof.

The local community has waited six years for the plans to come to fruition'.