Martin Rooney is desperate for the town to secure funding from the Scottish Government to replace the current run-down building.

More than £400 million is to be ploughed into improving health facilities across the country — and a large chunk of that money has now been committed.

Clydebank is up against Greenock in a battle to receive a final cut of the money.

Councillor Rooney argues that the age and condition of the health centre in Clydebank, and plans for a new £25 million facility — as part of the redevelopment of the Queens Quay site — make a compelling case for the town.

Mr Rooney told the Post: “Securing funding for a new Clydebank Health Centre is a really exciting prospect for our area. For me this is a major psychological barrier that we need to get through to keep the momentum going for the Queens Quay development.

“The current health centre is 40-years-old. It has significant building issues and no opportunities to expand. It limits our potential to capitalise on our successful integrated community health and care partnership, and to expand GP services and provide more community community-based services and hospital outreach.” This month’s announcement, from deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, forms part of a £409 million plan to provide new facilities for thousands of patients across the country.

The Post understands that health bosses will meet later this week to decide whether to offer the funding to Clydebank or a similar project in Greenock.

If given the green light, the health centre would operate in tandem with a £10 million care home which has already been approved for Queens Quay.

Mr Rooney told the Post having various health and care services on one site would be beneficial for patients and staff.

He continued: “We have great ambitions to bring together our HSCP [Health and Social Care Partnership] services in one development, further enhancing joint working between a wide range of services and providing one-stop access for the people of Clydebank, providing a considerably improved working environment for staff and making a significant contribution to the strategic regeneration of the Clydebank area.

“These would include joint children’s and adult services, learning disability and mental health along with primary and community care.

“Providing a new health centre in tandem with the £10 million care home development that is already approved for Clydebank, will allow both to share infrastructure costs and facilities, as well as enable seamless operational service improvements.” Councillor Gail Casey, convenor of West Dunbartonshire Community Health and Care Partnership, said: “We are still optimistic that Clydebank Health Centre will be allocated the £25-£30 million that it needs to build a state of the art health centre in and around the public realm at Queens Quay where we have already committed millions on the regeneration with a new care home coming on stream as well as our ambitious plans for new build and social housing.

“As the convener of the community health and care partnership, I have raised the issue of a new health centre for Clydebank on numerous occasions and this has been well received by all involved.” Councillor Casey added: “As a resident of Clydebank I believe the Clydebank Health Centre has served us well over the years, however it is time it was replaced as it is no longer fit for purpose. As the health centre is providing services to 45,000 patients I believe we need modern premises where other services which we so desperately need at this time can be included.” A spokesperson for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) said: “NHSGGC has capital monies are available to build a further health centre. There are two options, Clydebank and Greenock, and a paper will be presented to our Quality and Performance Group who will decide which option to take forward.”