Integrated Healthy Living Centre

The completion of Renton’s landmark Integrated Healthy Living Centre in December 2006 marked a new chapter for Cordale Housing Association.  The pioneering new centre in the village’s Main Street – constructed on the site of derelict shops – is the first facility of its kind to be built and owned by a local housing association.  It also provided the first full-time GP service in Renton, replacing a previous part-time facility.

The £1.2 million centre was hailed as a model of care by the then health minister Andy Kerr and since then has been praised by ministers, the community and the doctors who use the building.

The multi-functional health facility, which also has an adjoining chemist shop, is home to two GP practices from Alexandria and also provides services for patients from across Dunbartonshire and Helensburgh with neurological disorders.

The building, part of a complete rejuvenation of the village centre, was constructed by Cordale in a bid to tackle health inequalities in the village which had resulted in life expectancy in Renton being three per cent below the national average.

Alexandria GPs Dr Macrae and Partners and Dr Hunter and Partners provide doctors at the facility five days a week.  David Allen, practice manager at the centre, said the centre – which replaced previous clinics in John Street and Main Street – had made a massive impact with improved facilities and easier access for patients.  Mr Allen said: “There are much improved clinical rooms and comfortable waiting areas for the two branch surgeries, and there are doctors in attendance five days as well as nurses who are available regularly.  In addition, the building provided much improved additional areas which have meant new services could be introduced in Renton.  The YES (Your Enablement Service) operates from the centre which helps people across the area with various neurological disorders, such as Multiple Sclerosis. There is also a podiatry service. It is an excellent facility which is good for the patients, good for the practices and a great environment.”

Cordale worked in partnership with Lomond Health Care Co-operative, Employment Services, the Scottish Government, West Dunbartonshire Social Inclusion Partnership, West Dunbartonshire Council, West Dunbartonshire Environment Trust and Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire to secure a funding package of over £600,000 towards the construction of the IHLC.  The success of this partnership approach was highlighted as an example of regeneration good practice by the former Scottish Executive.