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Funding reinstated for Highland health centre

BBC Members of staff and politicians at Grantown Health CentreBBC
Politicians, NHS staff and local residents spearheaded the campaign

A major upgrade of a Highland health centre is set to continue following a successful campaign in the area.

The stalled £2.4m project at Grantown was halted earlier this year after the Scottish government announced a pause to NHS building projects due to financial constraints.

There was concern that further delays to the Grantown Health Centre project could ultimately increase costs significantly from the £400,000 to £500,000 needed to complete the work.

Following the campaign, which involved a cross-party group of local politicians, medical professionals, members of the community and NHS Highland, the Scottish government has reinstated funding to complete the scheme.

MSP for Inverness and Nairn Fergus Ewing, who worked alongside fellow Highland and Island MSPs - Edward Mountain of the Conservatives and Labour MSP Rhoda Grant - said it showed what could be achieved when people worked together.

The SNP's Mr Ewing said it had been made very clear to him by the NHS Estates team that there was only a short time window to restore funding before the contractors Morrisons would have to leave for other contracts.

He added that it highlighted that politicians working together could sometimes be "more effective" in securing results.