NHS Lothian the City of Edinburgh Council and West Lothian Council have reached financial closure for the construction of three health centers in Edinburgh and West Lothian.

The works will see three new health and council hubs built in Firrhill, North West Edinburgh (Muirhouse) and Blackburn in West Lothian. Construction of the three centers will start over the next few weeks and they will open to the public in late 2017. 

The new facilities have been developed under the Hub initiative through Hub South East Scotland. They will be delivered through a single design, build, finance and maintain contract, with GRAHAM Construction appointed as the contractor.

Susan Goldsmith, Finance Director, NHS Lothian, said: 

“I’m delighted that work will soon begin on these fantastic new partnership centres in West Lothian and Edinburgh.

“The three new buildings will help to better connect health, social care and council services, therefore improving how services operate for patients and service users.

“Bringing services together in one place will also help to improve access for communities throughout Edinburgh and West Lothian.

“We will continue to work closely with our partners in the City of Edinburgh Council and West Lothian Council, along with Hub South East Scotland, as we deliver these fantastic new centres.”

Convener of Health and Social Care for City of Edinburgh Council and Vice Chairman of Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, Cllr Ricky Henderson said:

 “This week’s news is the next positive step towards the two new partnership centres for the capital. 

“I’m looking forward to the work beginning and to the continued working with our partners. This is a another good example of an effective partnership approach, good for local communities and good for improving health in Edinburgh. Partnership and communities is definitely the way forward for health and social care.”

Councillor Frank Toner, Chair of the West Lothian Integration Joint Board, said:

“The new Blackburn Partnership Centre will deliver much-valued improved community and health facilities for the local community.

“Blackburn residents have played a key role in shaping the proposals for the centre, and will continue to be involved with the development.

“The agreement of the final contracts is an important step, and I look forward to seeing work start soon.”

Paul McGirk, Hub South East Scotland’s Chief Executive, said: 

“It’s exciting to reach this key milestone in the project and have everything in place to start building this trio of modern partnership centres which will bring health, social care and council services together for the communities of Firrhill, North West Edinburgh and Blackburn.

“We have already successfully delivered a range of new facilities for the three public sector partners involved and we look forward to continuing this successful relationship and ensuring that the local community benefits during the construction period, through opportunities such as new jobs, work placements and training.”