Clydebank health centre ‘officially opened’ by Humza Yousaf

The £21.7million facility, which began seeing patients in February, marks a change in the way care is being delivered in the community, with the 47,000 Bankies able to access a range of healthcare services under one roof for the first time.

The facilities includes six GP surgeries, Physiotherapy and Community Clinics (including treatment rooms, podiatry and diabetic retinal screening), Care at Home, Mental health services, sexual health services and more.

The Secretary for Health and Social Care, was given a tour of the building on Monday, July 4, alongside NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde chairman John Brown, chief executive at NHSGGC Jane Grant, and Beth Culshaw, chief officer for West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership.

Mr Yousaf said the new centre will “transform the services” on offer and provide residents with care that is “more integrated, accessible and efficient”.

He added: “I’m delighted to officially open the brand new Clydebank Health Centre which will transform the services on offer to the local community. As well as providing an improved environment and facilities, it is reshaping services from the perspective of patients.

“As well as six GP surgeries, the Centre houses physiotherapy, community clinics, care at home, mental health and sexual health services and more, so patients and service users can receive care that is more integrated, accessible and efficient.

“The local community were engaged in the design and development of the centre, which will help ensure that it also contributes to the wider goals of community regeneration and addressing health inequalities.”

The project team involved in the design of the new centre worked with the community, using innovative ways to engage with citizens and staff during the pandemic, and sending newsletters to update the community with key developments.

An Arts Strategy Group was formed to allow virtual workshops so local residents could help inform various aspects of the building and its surrounding.

Workshops were held within the Health Centre and outside for staff to participate in the production designs which feature in the manifestations within the health centre. A resident artist liaised with many local groups when creating a ‘River to Recovery’ book on which the art and therapeutic strategy was based. These activities enhanced the external and internal aspects of the new facility, aimed at creating an environment that engages and promotes well-being and improves people’s overall experience.

Ms Grant added: “Having the Cabinet Secretary here to open the new Clydebank Health and Care Centre officially marks an evolution in how we deliver health and social care to the area.

“This project was always seen as far more than a simple replacement. It was an opportunity, seven years in the making, to facilitate fundamental change and one where we consulted closely with stakeholders from across the piece.

“I think we’ve achieved exactly what the community needed in this new state-of-the-art facility and we look forward to serving the area for years to come while using Clydebank Health and Care centre as a base to continue driving forward health and care improvements in the area.”