Work on a new health and social care facility for the Dargavel and Bishopton communities will begin over the coming weeks now that technical details and legal procedures have been completed.
Partners including NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Hub West Scotland and Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), are working together to progress the plans. Activity on-site by main contractor Fleming Buildings is expected to begin later this month, with an anticipated completion date of Summer 2025.
Once complete, it will create additional clinical accommodation capacity for a variety of users in the centre of the new Dargavel Village development – and will complement the existing health centre in Bishopton, which was refurbished in 2022. It will also provide additional space and flexibility for the current GP Practice and enable more options for health and social care services within the area.
The project will aim to deliver a facility for the community with a ‘Targeted Net Zero’ energy operation – as well as striving to reduce the emissions caused by extraction, manufacturing, transportation, and assembly within the proposal.
Engagement with the local community will continue throughout the project and will feature a range of community activities. As part of this, over the coming weeks, local artists and members of the public will be invited to come along and find out more about the project and how they can contribute to the project’s integrated arts strategy.
Christine Laverty, Chief Officer of Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) said: “This is a welcome milestone for the project. It is a positive step towards further developing health and social care services for the area. I would like to thank the community for its input so far and the support they have shown for our proposals. We look forward to continuing to engage with them as the scheme progresses.”
Professor Tom Steele, Director of Estates and Facilities at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “We are pleased to be able to work with Renfrewshire HSCP to reach this significant milestone and to deliver a new, sustainable Net Zero facility that addresses the need for this local expanding population.
“We look forward to breaking ground with this project and for the build’s impressive design to take shape for the local community.”
Iain Marley, CEO of Hub West Scotland added: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership and once again with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
“As is the case with all Hub West projects, we are prioritising and maximising the creation of economic and social value to the local community.
“The initiatives that deliver this include local employment (a minimum of 5 new locally employed positions); targeted local spend of £1.2M with Scottish SMEs, and a focus on developing local skills – including a commitment by our partner building contractor to deliver a new 4 year apprenticeship placement. “
Mike Burrows, Managing Director of Fleming Buildings commented: “We are delighted to be part of the team bringing this impressive new healthcare facility to the Dargavel and Bishopton communities. Our expertise in completing high quality, low energy projects has allowed us to work closely with all stakeholders throughout the design process, refining and adding value. Our experienced team are looking forward to successfully delivering another key healthcare project.”
Headline photo: A computer-generated version of how the new building will look