Plans for a £14.6million replacement medical practice in the heart of Aberdeenshire have finally been approved, following more than a decade of negotiations.
After years of campaigning by the community, NHS Grampian’s health board unanimously gave the go-ahead to the Inverurie Health Centre, which will serve an estimated 20,000 people in the wider Garioch area.
Dental and maternity units, diagnostic and treatment services and other services are included in the proposals.
The new practice will be created at the site of Inverurie Hospital, and will involve the demolition of its Ashcroft ward and ambulance service building.
Inverurie councillor Martin Kitts-Hayes, who is a non-executive member of the NHS Grampian board, welcomed the news.
He said: “It’s been a long time coming.
“We’ve had a lot of aborted attempts at it, and we had a vote at one point about the proposed Life Centre as the new home for the health centre, which was approved by the area committee, but the health board decided not to pursue it for all sorts of reasons.
“We’ve been through countless planning and development issues with this project, so it’s had a very long history.
“I think it will be a fantastic facility for all people in the Garioch area and further afield. The new facilities will allow people to get the services they need in Inverurie instead of having to drive all the way into Aberdeen, so it’s got clear benefits, it’s a win-win.
NHS board member Alan Gray added: “This is more than just a health centre, it will be an integral part of health and social care provision for the whole area.
“We have got speech and language therapy, social care, occupational therapy….the whole gamut of services will be provided.”
Inverurie councillor Richard Cowling has watched the scheme gradually inch towards a resolution.
He said: “It has been at least 14 years, maybe longer, that the community have been waiting for this.
“I am absolutely delighted that it’s been approved, so we need to make sure that we’re now just going to get on with it and get it built without any further procrastination.
“We’re getting an X-ray department, which is tremendous. All in all, this is great news.”
