THE COUNTDOWN to the opening of the new £15 million state-of-the-art Eastwood Health and Care Centre has begun.

Offering the Eastwood community access to a wide range of health and social care services under the one roof for the first time, the new centre is set to open its doors on August 8.

Five general practices will be housed at the Drumby Crescent complex which will offer a variety of services, including: clinics, podiatry, physiotherapy, children's services, adult mental health services, speech therapy, district nursing, health visiting and social work.

The practices moving into the centre are Clarkston Medical Centre, Maclean Medical Practice, Giffnock Medical Centre (to be renamed Eastwoodmains Practice) and Elmwood Medical Centre.

An information guide will be sent to all households in the Eastwood area by the middle of July to advise residents on how best to access and contact the new centre.

Julie Murray, East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) chief officer, said: "The final preparations are being made for the move to the new health centre.

"It’s a big job to transfer all the individual practices but I am sure the people of Eastwood will be delighted with their new centre when it opens."

East Renfrewshire councillor and vice-chair of the region's Integrated Joint Board, Alan Lafferty, said: "The new centre is a magnificent facility which will offer Eastwood residents seamless health and social care services of the highest quality under one roof in brand new fit-for-purpose accommodation."

The project is being delivered by East Renfrewshire HSCP, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and East Renfrewshire Council (ERC) in partnership with hub West Scotland and the Scottish Futures Trust.

A total of £9.2 million worth of funding will come from NHSGGC, with ERC providing the remaining funds.

Anyone with questions about the move is advised to contact their GP.