PARKHEAD’S new health and social care centre has moved a step closer after plans were submitted to the council.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde wants to build a £64 million facility on the former Parkhead hospital site.

It would deliver a range of primary and social care services under one roof, including children’s services, mental health, addiction, criminal justice, homelessness and sexual health. There would be GP rooms, a community pharmacy, dental services and a new library.

The application has now been submitted, and validated by the council, and is awaiting a decision.

North East Glasgow has seven of the 25 most deprived data zones in Scotland, with many of the people served by Parkhead Health Centre.

The current facility will remain open until the new building is complete and will then be demolished to make way for a car park. Services provided will move into the new building.

Near to the Parkhead Cross, the Salamanca Street site has been designed to become a “flagship hub of services within the heart of one of Scotland’s most deprived

communities”.

“One of the core aims of the Parkhead hub is to reduce pressure on hospital services through the delivery of integrated service models with patients and service users more likely to access all components of their care plan if this can be delivered under one roof,” the plans state.

“Critical to this concept is the creation of an open, welcoming and caring facility that is easy to navigate and pleasant, calm and uplifting to inhabit.”

If approved, construction would begin later this year and the centre could be open by 2024. The application requests permission for 291 parking spaces.

There would be three courtyard spaces, designed to encourage outdoor activity. One of the courtyards will include children’s play space.

The planned library would be operated by Glasgow Life, with the NHS and Glasgow’s health and social partnership delivering the other services.