THE Scottish Government is failing to deliver on the £21 million promises of new health centres for Lochgelly and Kincardine.

That's the view of Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alex Rowley who met with Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP, last week to keep the pressure on Holyrood to deliver.

The case for new facilities in both towns was made more than 10 years ago - they've been described as not fit for purpose - but funds have been delayed with the government telling frustrated campaigners last year that money would not be available until the "second half of the decade". 

NHS Fife said the health centres “no longer meet the needs of the local populations” with the cost of Lochgelly's centre likely to be more than £13m and Kincardine's new surgery put at £7.8m. 

Mr Rowley said: “I was very grateful to the health secretary for giving me the opportunity to raise my constituent’s concerns about Lochgelly and Kincardine health centres.

“Communities in Fife have been promised these new centres for years now and NHS Fife have been working with communities to plan these appropriately, so it is disappointing that the Scottish Government has still not delivered on its part of these projects.

READ MORE: Baby and toddler group preparing to mark 10 year anniversary with party

“The current health centres, which NHS Fife has stated no longer meet the needs of local populations due to their age and condition, create a significant barrier not only to the delivery of healthcare services in Fife but also in the ability to recruit and retain GPs in an area already experiencing issues with GP access.”

Mr Gray recognised the ongoing need for replacement health centres in Lochgelly and Kincardine but cited ongoing financial difficulties as the cause of the delay.

Mr Rowley said: “I made clear my feelings that the ongoing delay in delivery is unacceptable and the health secretary stated that the Scottish Government is currently engaged in a capital review and will soon deliver a medium term financial strategy which I hope will provide more clarity on the future of these projects.

“For my part, I will continue engaging the Scottish Government on this issue and working with other MSPs that represent Lochgelly and Kincardine and community groups to see these long-awaited facilities delivered as promised.”