Demolition work has started on the site where the new state-of-the-art Airdrie Community Health Centre is to be built.
Work preparing the site began last week with actual building work set to start in October this year.
The new development, which will be one of the largest health centres of its kind in Scotland, is expected to open in early 2012.
Ian Ross, Director of performance and planning for NHS Lanarkshire, said: "It’s great to see work get underway on this fantastic new health centre which will create a first class environment for patient care that will significantly improve how we deliver community health services in the area."
The new £27 million health centre will bring together a range of primary care and other community-based services, which will significantly improve patient access to healthcare. Services based at the centre will include: dental; podiatry; dietetics; paediatric; and physiotherapy as well as GP practices.
The community health centre will be on the site of the former Somerfield supermarket and adjoining six-storey office block on Graham Street in the town centre. The convenient location will ensure easier access to a wide range of health services.
The health centre will accommodate nine different GP Practices and a number of primary care services, serving around 50,000 patients from across the town.
Ian Ross added: "This new centre will allow us to provide a range of enhanced services to patients in high-quality, purpose-built surroundings. These modern facilities will give us the opportunity to develop and improve services in ways that aren’t currently possible."
NHS Lanarkshire has appointed GSARP (Graham Street Airdrie Retail Portfolio) - the owners of a substantial retail and office property holding on Graham Street and Gartlea Road, Airdrie – as development partners.
The masterplan for the site includes more than 100,000 square feet over five levels. It incorporates the new health centre along with new retail properties on Graham Street and new office accommodation for North Lanarkshire Council.