A new approach to providing community healthcare for Aberdeen’s ageing and expanding population will be detailed by health chiefs today.
Existing medical practices have been stretched across the north of Aberdeen in particular in recent years, with struggles to recruit staff adding to the problems.
It is hoped a £19 million plan for new facilities in the north-east will help the area cope with the major population increases expected in coming years.
Fresh options for the “northern corridor” commuter belt – which includes the likes of Dyce, Newmachar and Balmedie – could involve creating one or two large health centres, each offering numerous services, in the style of the Aberdeen Health Village on Frederick Street.
Members of the integrated joint board (IJB) of the Aberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership (AHSCP) will meet to approve the plan ahead of submitting it to the NHS Grampian board next month and to the Scottish Government in January to sign-off the funding.
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An ambitious timescale has been set, with the hope building will begin in 2020 and that the facilities will be completed two years later.
It is expected that there will be an additional 23,2251 patients in the area by 2035.
A report reads: “The Scottish Government has approved in principle, £19 million funding from the capital investment programme to transform services and invest in the related infrastructure (to solve the General Medical Service provision across Blackburn, Newmachar and Balmedie).
“The New Dyce Health Centre and Gilbert Road Surgery are not considered functionally suitable to support the delivery of modern primary and community care services and require significant investment to deal with essential backlog maintenance and statutory compliance issues.”
Hazlehead, Queens Cross and Countesswells SNP councillor John Cooke will act as a substitute member at today’s meeting.
He said: “Looking at the population increases expected it is clear that there will be a big leap. It’s good therefore that we are looking ahead.”
North-east Conservative MSP Tom Mason, also a city councillor, said: “GP services in particular are already under severe strain in many parts of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
“Residents will be hoping that these essential upgrades will be delivered on time and on budget.”
