Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport Shona Robison visited Muirhouse yesterday to officially open the new Pennywell All Care Centre. Ms Robison met staff and guests during a tour of the facility before cutting a ribbon to declare the ‘one stop shop’ open.
Ten years in the planning and building, Pennywell All Care Centre (previously known as the North West Edinburgh Partnership Centre) provides a range of services designed to keep children’s health and welfare at the forefront of local services. The partnership centre also includes health and social care services and additional general practice provision.
Among the guests were artists Lindsay Perth and Hans Clausen, whose imaginative artworks feature prominently in the bright new building.
Health Secretary Shona Robison (above) said: “It’s been great to get a chance to come along and see first-hand these new facilities that will make a huge difference to the people of North West Edinburgh.
“The Pennywell All Care Centre is truly an excellent example of health and social care services working together to provide the right services, in the right place, with patient care at the heart.”
The Pennywell All Care Centre is one of three partnership centres that make up a £27.6 million programme delivered by NHS Lothian in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council and West Lothian Council. The works have seen three new health and council hubs built in Allemuir, North West Edinburgh (Muirhouse) and Blackburn in West Lothian over the past two years.
Councillor Ricky Henderson (above), Chair of the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board, joined Ms Robison on her tour around the new facility before inviting her to cut the ribbon to officially open the All Care Centre. He told guests: “The Pennywell All Care Centre brings together health and social care services under one roof. It will provide valuable support for people in the local community.
“It’s great to officially open the new centre where the Council, NHS Lothian and care providers have worked together to make sure the right services are in place to support people in this fantastic facility. I believe it will be of real benefit to local residents by providing a one-stop shop for their health needs.
“This is another example of an effective partnership approach, good for people and good for improving health in Edinburgh.”
The new facilities were developed under the Hub initiative through Hub South East Scotland. They were delivered through a single design, build, finance and maintain contract, with GRAHAM Construction appointed as the contractor.
Jo Elliot, Hub South East Scotland’s Chair, said: “After Hub South East’s successful delivery of three partnership centres last year, I’m delighted to be involved in the official opening of this fantastic new facility.
“Feedback from staff and service users has been positive and it’s great to see first-hand how much of a difference the new Pennywell All Care Centre is making locally.”
Gary Holmes, Scotland Managing Director for GRAHAM Construction said: “The new centre is a real asset to the surrounding area, giving children access to some of the country’s most modern health and social care facilities.
“Throughout the construction stages of these three new partnership centres, GRAHAM Construction has supported almost 1500 individuals through work experience, school visits, new jobs and apprenticeships – showcasing how this type of development can bring community benefits from the moment work commences.
“GRAHAM Construction holds extensive experience in healthcare infrastructure and we’re pleased to see that the Pennywell All Care Centre has officially opened its doors.”
More pictures on NEN’s Facebook page
What services will you find in Pennywell All Care Centre?
The new Centre provides a range of health and social care services, including child health services, podiatry and new GP accommodation – Muirhouse Medical Group has opened a new branch surgery in the All Care Centre to complement their Muirhouse Avenue practice.
Pennywell All Care Centre provides new accommodation for more than 300 NHS Lothian, city council and voluntary sector staff. As well as Muirhouse Medical Group, other primary care and community health services housed there include:
- Adult Physiotherapy
- Podiatry
- Community Dentistry (special needs)
- District
- Midwifery
- Domiciliary Physiotherapy
- Community Pharmacy
- Stop Smoking service
- Adult Speech and Language
There is also a comprehensive range of child health and protection services:
- Community Child Health
- Paediatric Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
- CAMHS North Team
- Family Nurse Partnership
- Speech and Language therapy
- Community Midwifery
- Health Visiting
- Infant Feeding Advisers
At various times in the week, other NHS services will conduct clinics in the new Centre:
- Dietetics
- Sexual Health
The city council’s Children & Families Social Work Practice Team Work is also located in the building and there is also capacity for a voluntary sector presence in the building.
Pennywell All Care Centre
1D Pennywell Gardens, Edinburgh EH4 4UA
Telephone: 0131 286 5200
Opening Hours: 8am – 6pm (Some services will occasionally operate outwith these hours by appointment only)
The main public entrance to the Centre is accessed from Pennywell Gardens. There are disabled parking spaces and bicycle racks in front of the main entrance.
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