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Background to the
Community Health Shop (CHS)
The old doctors' surgery was situated in a dilapidated
portakabin within the grounds of a local primary school. In the
winter the wind would blow through the spaces in the window
frames and in the summer it felt like sitting in a greenhouse.
Local people got together a petition and presented it to the
local councillor. At this time the Greater Easterhouse
Partnership were looking for health inclusion projects to
support and pilot by their Pathfinder scheme.
A steering group
compiled of community representatives, the local councillor, the
Pathfinder Co-ordinator, the East Glasgow LHCC General Manager
and a representative from the Health Promotion department of
what is now Greater Glasgow NHS Board met regularly to develop
the idea of resiting the GP and improving health services in the
South Suburb of Greater Easterhouse.
From this group the idea of
a 'Community Health Shop' was made. The let for two shop units
was purchased, it was internally refitted to a custom design and
in October 1999 the shop was opened by Jackie Baillie MSP,
Deputy Minister for Communities.
Initially the services were
limited to those who made no charge like GP, Health Visitor,
Practice Nurse, Dietitian, Podiatrist and other local projects
such as Money Advice.
Two posts were created, Co-ordinator and
Administrator, the shop became a company limited by guarantee
and was granted charitable status. The Board of Directors were
75% community representatives and the rest were from the main
funders, Pathfinder, LHCC and GGNHSB.
To increase and improve
the services funding was sought from the National Lottery
through their New Opportunities Fund for Health. In August 2001
Healthy Living Centre Status was granted and over £500,000
funding over five years.
The CHS now has over 27 services with
new ones being added regularly. The main challenge for the Board
now is to secure sustainability for the shop by fundraising for
the future past the five years we have secured at present.
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