The new Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre is a step nearer following a turf-cutting event yesterday to mark the start of construction of the new building.

Nicola Sturgeon, MSP and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing carried out the groundbreaking proceedings along with representatives from NHS Lothian, the City of Edinburgh Council, hub South East Scotland and community representatives.

The Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre, a joint development between NHS Lothian and the City of Edinburgh Council, will include the Wester Hailes Medical Practice, a range of NHS Lothian community health services, local authority staff from the health and social care and children and families departments, together with the local voluntary organisation, the Wester Hailes Health Agency.


Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Nicola Sturgeon said: “I am delighted to be here to mark the beginning of work on the Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre, just one example of many major health and social care projects underway across the country. The public purse is under huge financial strain, which is why we need creative, innovative and collaborative approaches such as the hub initiative to deliver maximum value for taxpayers money.”

Dr Charles Winstanley, Chair, NHS Lothian said: “This is an exciting occasion and I am delighted that work is about to get underway. A great deal of work has gone into reaching this point and it demonstrates our commitment to provide high quality healthcare services in local communities.”

Councillor Paul Edie, Health and Social Care Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Today marks an important step for people living in Wester Hailes as the new centre will create a one stop shop of health and social care services.

“Having all these facilities in one location can only be of benefit to everyone in the community and the new site will transform a derelict part of the neighbourhood.”

It is anticipated that the Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre will be completed in 2013.

(GK)