A REVIEW of health and social care services in Ayrshire has warned that more than £20 million will be needed to bring GP practices in Irvine and Kilwinning up to acceptable standards.

The review of the Caring for Ayrshire (CFA) programme says that one particular practice building in Irvine needs “urgent” attention – because in its current state it poses “an operational risk”.

The report said the Frew Terrace practice building needed the most immediate attention, stating it was “not future fit for purpose” and had a lack of room space.

It also said the Townhead Surgery building lacks a number of statutory compliance items, including disabled access toilets.

The buildings at Dundonald, Townhead, Ballot Road and Kiln Walk were all described as having bookable rooms that were not fit for purpose.

The Oxenward practice in Kilwinning, housed in a former pub, was described as an operational risk and an “inappropriate” site for the delivery of modern ser vices, while the Kilwinning Medical Practice building was described as having a “limited future”.

The report reveals that an ‘option appraisal’ for replacements for the Frew Terrace and Oxenward buildings began in December, and that planned new facilities are due to be operational by October 2023.

This work is estimated to cost below £5m with all funding coming from the NHS.

While Irvine and Kilwinning’s other practices have been highlighted for phase two, meaning they should be addressed within the next one to five years.

Work on a similar option appraisal for a new hub to support the Irvine and Kilwinning locality operations, at a potential cost of more than £20m, is due to start this month and it’s hoped will be completed by April 2025.

Caring for Ayrshire is a 10-year programme in partnership between North Ayrshire Council, NHS Ayrshire and Arran and the three Ayrshire health and social care partnerships (HSCPs) to redesign how they provide local health and care services.

The report has been developed to assess the needs to deliver improvement of North Ayrshire’s current local health provision.

The Irvine and Kilwinning locality as a whole serves over 77,000 patients.