Construction work has got underway on the refurbishment and extension of The Harbours Medical Practice in Cockenzie, marking an important milestone for healthcare in East Lothian.

East Lothian Health and Social Care spokesperson Councillor Shamin Akhtar and Jon Turvil, Clinical Director for East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership, marked the event on site. They were joined Practice colleagues as well as representatives from NHS Lothian's Development Partner delivering the project, Hub South East, and contractors Morrison Construction.

The £3.4m project, will see a full refurbishment and 400m2 extension of the Harbours Medical Practice complete in Autumn 2022. This facility will meet the needs of the growing population in the Cockenzie and Port Seton area and the demand for a wider range of services.

Construction will be managed to allow the existing practice to remain operational as usual by working in two phases. The first phase will see the completion of a new build extension to the rear of the existing building and once the surgery moves into this new area, the refurbishment of the original building, dating back to 1980, can begin.

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Once plans are complete there will be additional Consulting Rooms and Treatment Rooms and the existing building will be refurbished throughout so that clinical services can be delivered in an environment which is appropriate and fit for purpose.

Kenny Campbell, Hub South East's Development Manager, said: "I'm delighted, after a great deal of work from all partners in the background in the planning and design of this project, that we are now marking the start of construction on the works on site.

"We have an excellent track record in delivering modern healthcare facilities in the area, having recently completed the award-winning East Lothian Community Hospital, and we look forward to continuing this positive working relationship with both NHS Lothian and the East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership as we make the plans for Harbours Medical Practice, a reality."

East Lothian Integration Joint Board (IJB) Vice Chair Councillor Shamin Akhtar said: "It's great to see work now underway on the extension and refurbishment. I'd like to thank Jane Johnston and the practice, NHS Lothian, the Capital Planning & Projects Team and the Harbours patient participation group for their contribution in getting us here. The Harbours is a thriving and growing practice and the extension and refurbishment reflects the IJB's commitment to continuing to improve patients' access to high quality primary care across East Lothian."

Eddie Robertson, Managing Director of Morrison Construction Building Central, commented: "Our business has a strong track record in delivering first-class primary care facilities for the NHS throughout Scotland. We are delighted to continue our relationship with NHS Lothian and look forward to creating a high-quality building that enables all the stakeholders to deliver vital services for local people."