UK: opens First community-owned health centre

Cordale Housing Association opened an Integrated Healthy Living Centre in Renton in December 2005. The centre, which was constructed and is owned by the association, is the first community-owned facility of its kind in Scotland and brings two full-time GP surgeries back to the village for the first time in over 30 years. It has also been held up as a blueprint for tackling Scotland?s poor health record in communities across the country by Minister for Health Andy Kerr MSP. The centre will also provide a base for a new service for physically disabled young people from across the Lomond district and a large area within the centre has been earmarked for multi-purpose use by groups tackling a range of health issues. www.clydehousingconnections.org.uk