This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Rural Scotland, Taking Stock
13/03/2003
Significant investment in public services allied with a better understanding of the needs of rural communities is delivering real progress, it was said today as a report was published setting out the impact of Executive policy on rural Scotland.
Visiting a new local health campus in Lanark funded through the Primary Care Modernisation Fund, Environment Minister Ross Finnie said:
"This report sets out what we have done to improve the lives of those living and working in rural Scotland since the publication of our vision for rural Scotland in May 2000.
"Rural Scotland: Taking Stock sets out the real progress that has been made against four key rural themes through action across all of the Executive's portfolios.
"By acknowledging and understanding the often different needs of rural communities we have tailored our policies and programmes to meet local needs and circumstances.
"The Lanark Health Campus represents just the sort of integrated, quality service that we want to see rural communities gaining greater access to.
From one campus the people of Lanark and its surrounding villages can now access a range of services. It is clear that local people place great value on the accessibility of these services and I congratulate all the staff here on the quality of service that they offer."
The four key themes of the report are:
- Promoting economic development in rural areas
- Breaking down barriers to inclusion
- Improving access to services
- Sustaining and making the most of natural and cultural heritage
The first phase of the Lanark health campus development was officially opened by Malcolm Chisholm, Minister for Health and Community Care, on October 11, 2002. Supported by a grant of £2.2 million, the new facility replaced the outdated primary health care facilities in Lanark, combining both primary care and health improvement services on one site and improving the range of services available locally to local communities.