CAMPAIGNERS have vowed to continue their efforts to get a new health centre in Lochgelly as they prepare for a meeting with Scotland's health minister next month.

Members of the Friends of Lochgelly Health Centre met NHS Fife chief Pat Kilpatrick at the current facility this week and say they were giving assurances that the health authority are in support of their efforts.

Ms Kilpatrick, who is chair of NHS Fife, and director of facilities, Neil McCormick, met with local residents and health centre staff on Monday.

Campaign group chairperson Garry Roberts said they were given assurances that NHS Fife is "100 per cent" behind their campaign for a new health and wellbeing centre in the town.

"Although NHS Fife are behind us, it is the existing Scottish Government that is the problem," he said. "Humza Yousaf as Health Minister stated some years ago that the money was available and then reneged on this.

READ MORE: Campaigners say excuses 'wearing thin' as wait for new medical centre continues

"Promises have been made over the last 14 years with absolutely none forthcoming. Michael Mathieson, former health minister, visited last summer and reiterated that the building was not fit for purpose and blamed Westminster for lack of funding.

"This is something we have continued to hear time and time again, when we know that as a devolved Government the SNP have the power and could have given the go ahead for this build.

"However we now find ourselves positively devastated by the lack of promises being fulfilled and a town that is growing in numbers without its health and wellbeing needs being met."

Mr Roberts said some repair work may take place but said this was not enough.

"Currently all we can expect is some remedial work being carried out which will involve repairing the heating, repairs to leaks in the roofs and new flooring," he said.

"There are problems with the entrance to the building where concrete is broken and unsafe making access difficult also very poor patient accessibility – the list is exhaustive! In reality it only offers a sticking plaster at this time.

"We are left with the fact that this Government has directed that at this time there are no further plans for building works to be undertaken in Scotland.

READ MORE: Calls for more talks on "overdue" Lochgelly Health Centre

"NHS Fife support us but do not have the funding which must come from the Government. The residents of Lochgelly and District feel totally let down and feel unheard when in fact they urgently need a medical service that meets all the needs of an ageing population with proposals for further growth in the town.

"We welcome the offer from NHS Fife to hold a follow up meeting later in the year to continue in our campaign."

Health minister Neil Gray is expected to visit the centre and meet campaigners later this month.

NHS Fife promised to replace the David Street facility by 2019 and has previously said it was “functionally inadequate and compromises proactive patient care”.

However, work never started and it was kicked into the long grass last year when the Scottish Government announced it was to adopt a phased approach to capital expenditure meaning it could not be delivered within planned timescales.