Fife Labour “furious but not surprised” as SNP say new Lochgelly & Kincardine health centres not a priority

Fife Labour Councillors representing both Kincardine and Lochgelly have said they are “furious but not surprised” that the Health Secretary has said the construction of new health centres in Kincardine and Lochgelly are not a priority for the SNP / Green Scottish Government.

The statement by Michael Matheson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care, is included in a letter to Cllr. David Ross (Lab, Kirkcaldy North), Leader of Fife Council.

Cllr. Ross wrote to Mr. Matheson after an Emergency Motion passed by the Labour administration of Fife Council in March said the failure to build the new health centres would “make it harder for NHS Fife to provide effective health care”.

 The letter from Mr. Matheson says that “the construction of new health centres in Kincardine and Lochgelly were not identified…as a priority” despite being promised for more than a decade.  It goes on to add that a further update may not be available until late 2025 meaning it could be over 20 years since new centres were promised before a spade is put in the ground.

In a joint statement, Cllr. Graeme Downie (Lab, West Fife & Coastal Villages) and Cllr. Linda Erskine (Lab, Lochgelly, Cardenden and Benarty) said:

“We are furious but not surprised that the SNP/Green Scottish Government does not consider new health centres in Kincardine & Lochgelly to be a priority.”

“Both new health centres were promised well over a decade ago, with both current buildings entirely unfit for purpose.  Not only does that make it harder to deliver effective health care but also to recruit people to work in a poor workplace environment.  Yet all we hear from the SNP is excuse after excuse after excuse, while failing to take any responsibility.”

“The SNP talk about reducing the health gap and empowering local communities but as with so many other things, they are utterly failing to implement policies to help Fifers.”

“The people of Kincardine & Lochgelly are being forgotten by the SNP but they will not be forgotten by the Labour Party.  We will continue to be on their side and fight with them to deliver these new health centres that their communities need.”