SCOTLAND’S First Minister, Alex Salmond MSP, led the praise for a new development model as the latest in a national programme of community-based infrastructure projects was officially handed over to its new tenants.
Hub North Scotland – the joint venture company responsible for a £435million development pipeline in healthcare, education and the emergency service sectors over the next ten years – formally presented the Aberdeen Community Health and Care Village to NHS Grampian today (Monday, December 2).
Mr Salmond led the ceremony as the £15m complex was unveiled in readiness for its opening to the public on 10 December. It is the first design, build finance and maintain package to be completed in Scotland under the hub initiative.
The hub model features a network of regional organisations tasked with increasing the speed in delivering community infrastructure procurements as well as reducing the cost of those projects. It is led by the Scottish Futures Trust.
The innovative 6,500 sq metre health care building on the city’s Frederick Street features an array of facilities ranging from physiotherapy and dental provision through to minor surgery suites. The public will have an opportunity to view the complex at an open day on Saturday (7 December, 2013) from 10am to 3pm.
Mr Salmond said: “The staff of Scotland’s health and emergency services are the beating heart of our nation.
“Indeed, the response to the ongoing tragic incident in Glasgow serve as a poignant reminder of their unfailing dedication to keeping the people of Scotland safe, well and healthy.
“They continue to be an inspiration to us all and we are immensely proud of the invaluable contribution they make on a daily basis.
“The superb facilities I am visiting today in Aberdeen provide modern, state-of-the-art services ensuring that the dedicated and committed staff here in NHS Grampian have the best possible facilities and environment in which to care for patients.”
Jim Royan, hub North Scotland chair, performed the handover to NHS Grampian chair, Bill Howatson, at today’s event and praised the team responsible for ensuring the project opened to the public on time and on budget.
Mr Royan said: “Hub North Scotland is underpinned by the desire to not only provide best value but to ensure the highest quality of provision for communities throughout the territory we cover.
“What the Aberdeen Community Health and Care Village demonstrates is the ingenuity and attention to detail which are central to the hub projects already underway and those planned for the future.
“The bricks and mortar of these buildings will be the foundations upon which strong communities can be built and we are proud to have led a team which has produced a fantastic end result. Together with the Scottish Futures Trust, Miller Construction and NHS Grampian we have shown the benefits there are in partnership working on projects of this scale.”
Cllr Howatson said: “This wonderful new facility will focus on wellbeing, it will encourage self care by supporting people to remain well, independent and in their own communities, where appropriate.
“This urban community hospital without beds will provide a wide range of out-patient diagnostic and treatment services, helping to improve the range services available in a community setting in Aberdeen.
“Some services in the Health Village will be delivered in partnership with colleagues from Police Scotland and Aberdeen City Council. We look forward to working with public sector partners and the people of Aberdeen and Grampian to improve health and health services in the region.”
The build was led by Miller Construction, which served as main contractor on the project. Charlie Dunn, the company’s managing director – Scotland, added: “We are delighted to have successfully designed and delivered this high quality community facility and centre of excellence for hub North Scotland and NHS Grampian.
“We look forward to maintaining our association with the centre through the on-going facilities management services we will provide, ensuring that it continues to provide quality health care for patients for many years to come.”
hub North Scotland comprises Alba Community Partnerships, Scottish Futures Trust and 16 Northern Territory Partners, working with local suppliers and contractors to deliver quality buildings and services.
A number of significant ongoing projects are part of the programme, with the Police Scotland custody suite in Aberdeen scheduled for completion in March 2014 and the Woodside Fountain Health Centre also taking shape in the city as well as the Alford Academy campus moving forward.
Ongoing construction work at the new Tain and Forres health centres is part of the project pipeline in Moray and the Highlands, with the £31m replacement of the existing Inverness Royal Academy and £50m Wick Community Campus also being led by hub North Scotland.
Further information can be found online at www.scottishfuturestrust.org.uk and www.hubnorthscotland.co.uk.
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