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Loch Leven Health Centre, Kinross

The new Loch Leven Health Centre was officially opened on 30th October by former Flight Lieutenant Sir Alan Smith CBE DFC, marking the end of a six-year project to relocate from the old premises.

Sir Alan and his wife, Lady Alice, unveiled a commemorative plaque in front of invited guests from the health centre, NHS Tayside, Perth & Kinross Community Health Partnership and the local community, before enjoying a tour of the new facilities.

The new development houses the two practices, Orwell Medical Practice and St Serf's Medical Practice, from the previous health centre and a team of NHS Tayside community staff, and provides more space and capacity for additional clinics and services.

The practice population has increased to over 12,000 and there has been a significant increase in the number of clinicians working at the health centre. The two practices have nine GPs between them, and the practice nursing team now has six nurses and three healthcare assistants. They are supported by a team of 12 administration and reception staff and the practice manager.

The NHS community team has also grown and includes physiotherapists, podiatrists, midwives, health visitors, district nurses, speech and language therapists, and dieticians as well as the community rehabilitation team, which used to occupy separate premises in Milnathort.

Consultants from Perth Royal Infirmary run a variety of outreach clinics for general surgery, paediatrics, and psychiatry of the elderly, counsellors offer drug, psychiatric and bereavement counselling and there is a clinic for anticoagulant therapy. The severe lack of space in the previous building restricted the development of these services.

The new premises provide excellent accommodation for all the clinicians and staff in rooms which are well-designed and equipped.  Accommodation includes GP and nurse consulting and treatment rooms, a minor surgery room, a large physiotherapy suite, a podiatry room, consulting rooms for the community team and a large health education room which is used for ante-natal and parentcraft classes, as well as breastfeeding and drop-in clinics for new mums.

Patient care will be enhanced by the provision of a wider range of health, social and voluntary services and the centralisation of these services on one site will improve co-ordination of primary, community and social care services. Improved clinical and waiting areas will benefit the patients by creating a pleasant, comfortable and accessible environment. The increase in space is also of great benefit to the clinicians and staff working in the building, and team work and communication can be enhanced through closer working.

Medical Centres Scotland was chosen as the developer for the site and the architect was Ken Reid, of Ken Reid Architects in Edinburgh. Stewart Milne Construction began work on the site on July 2008 and finished the building on schedule in August 2009.

In proposing a vote of thanks, Sandy Watson, Chairman of NHS Tayside paid tribute to all those involved in delivering the new building. He said, "This building is truly a modern healthcare facility. Fit for the 21st century, fit for the needs of the community, and in tune with the concept of a mutual NHS where partners have real involvement, representation and a voice that is heard."