The Houldsworth Centre in Wishaw was officially opened by NHS chair Neena Mahal and North Lanarkshire Council leader Jim Logue.

Among the guests present at the occasion were pupils from St Aiden’s High School and Coltness High School, as both Wishaw schools took part in a community process to help design art for the centre.

NHS Lanarkshire chief executive Calum Campbell said: “As modern health care evolves to enable the delivery of health and social care services in community settings, this new state of the art facility allows our health care staff to enhance the care they already provide to the people of Wishaw.

“It’s also a tremendous addition to the town centre in a convenient location and demonstrates our commitment to integrated working for the wellbeing of the community.”

Neena Mahal added: “I would like to thank everyone who contributed to bringing this centre to fruition.

“However, as with any new facility, the resource which best compliments it is the skill, care and commitment of the staff.

“Ultimately it is this which allows us to get the best out of this new facility and provide better health care for the people of Wishaw.”

There was another reason for celebration when the Houldsworth won an award in the prestigious Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning, partnership category.

Judges said the project was “a superb outcome for the size and complexity of the project – all in keeping with Town Centre First Principle” and they “welcomed the ambition of both NHS Lanarkshire and North Lanarkshire Council to set a benchmark for healthcare in Scotland.”

Graham Johnston, head of management services, said: “We were delighted to receive the national award which recognised our innovative approach to partnership working.”