NHS bosses say previous proposals for new Paisley Health Centre under review
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde previously said Paisley was one of three communities which should benefit from a new health and primary care hub.
A new Paisley health centre is being considered as part of a wider review of services in Greater Glasgow, NHS chiefs have confirmed.
The town centre health hub was first mooted in 2019 when Paisley was identified by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) as one of three communities which should benefit from a new health and primary care hub to house GP surgeries and other specialities.
The other two communities – Parkhead in Glasgow's East End and Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire – have had their mulit-million medical centres built.
However, in a statement issued to the Paisley Daily Express this week, the health board said the Paisley proposal would now be considered against a host of competing demands.
A spokesperson for NHSGGC said: 'A previous proposal for a new Paisley Health Centre, which would bring together a number of primary care services, was affected by the national pause on NHS capital projects, with insufficient funding available for it to be progressed.
'We are currently refreshing our primary care strategy which will revisit the prioritisation of our sites across all six health and social care partnerships.
'This review will inform our priorities going forward should further capital investment become available from the Scottish Government.'
The Paisley-based MSP Neil Bibby said there was a strong case for a new health hub in the town centre. The Labour West Scotland MSP said: 'I know countless people struggle to get GP appointments in Paisley when they need them.
'This isn't the fault of doctors and their teams – there simply isn't the capacity locally. That's why a new NHS health centre in Paisley would be a fantastic and much-needed addition to our town.
'There is clear support for extra health and social care provision in Scotland's largest town, which could not only help relieve pressure on local surgeries but the Royal Alexandra Hospital, too, by allowing more local people to access the care they need.
'This proposal must be properly explored without delay, and I will do all I can to encourage NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the Scottish Government to progress this.'
The news comes weeks after Beyond Retail reaffirmed its desire to host a medical centre within its transformation of the Paisley Centre.
The owners of the shopping mall are progressing plans to transform it into a mixed-use development with housing, retail units, a hotel and health hub. The former Allders Department store has specifically been identified as a possible home for a health centre.
Richard Ford, partner at Reith Lambert – which manages the Paisley Centre on behalf of Beyond Retail, said: 'Beyond Retail remains committed to delivering a much-needed, state-of-the-art health and community hub within the former Allders department store.
'This hub is a key element of our transformational development, which will bring millions of pounds of institutional investment into Paisley town centre.
'The project will also include vibrant new residential accommodation, accessible retail space, and a globally recognised hotel partner — all set within a high-quality public realm.
'We will continue to work closely with Renfrewshire Council, the Scottish Government, and other stakeholders to bring this vision to life.'
Beyond Retail completed the purchase of the Paisley Centre in November 2020 and later took ownership of the Marks & Spencer High Street unit after M&S confirmed its relocation from the town centre.
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