A groundbreaking ceremony has marked the start of construction for a new medical and dental centre at Leuchars Station.

The construction contract, valued at nearly £22 million, was awarded to GRAHAM, a leading construction company. The new building will replace the aging current medical and dental centre, which was built in 1936.

Upon completion, the new facility will be able to accommodate the growing number of personnel expected to be based at Leuchars Station in the coming years, as it becomes the Army's hub in Scotland. Approximately 3,700 personnel and their dependents will benefit from the new building, which will house physical rehabilitation and mental health facilities, as well as GP and dental services.

Designed with sustainability in mind, the building incorporates thermal efficiency, solar panels, air source heat pumps, and electric vehicle charging stations. Building materials were carefully selected to reduce their carbon impact. The new facility is expected to serve as a model for sustainable construction in future MOD medical and dental centres.

-- Advertisement --

Shaun Purdy, DIO’s Project Manager, said: "While the current medical and dental centre has hosted great medical care, it is important that we continually strive to improve and modernise. This new, larger facility will ensure that personnel and their families continue to receive the best possible care in the future in a modern clinical practice.

"Working closely with Defence Medical Services, UK Strategic Command and partners it was agreed that a brand-new building is by far the best solution and will provide the sort of high-quality medical and dental care our personnel deserve. It will provide a modern building suited not only for patients, but also for our dedicated professional medical staff."

Chris MacLeod, Regional Director at GRAHAM Building North said: "We are delighted to be continuing our longstanding relationship with Defence Infrastructure Organisation to help deliver new and improved health and wellbeing facilities for the military personnel and their families at Leuchars."

Surgeon Commodore Andy Nelstrop, Cdr Defence Primary Healthcare, said: "Delivering expert healthcare to our Armed Forces and ensuring that they are able to see a medical professional quickly is a priority for all those who work within Defence Primary Healthcare. It is fundamental that all our medical personnel and patients can work and be treated in a modern environment and have access to the latest equipment and resources which is why the construction of this new centre is so important.

"It is just one part of our ongoing programme to ensure everyone in our military receive the primary healthcare they deserve, and I am delighted that all those based at Leuchars will soon be able to benefit from this fantastic facility."