However, there are hopes that the scheme can be revived if new money becomes available in future, while work on an extension to the existing clinic is expected to start in the New Year and be completed in the spring.

The plans to expand the surgery include a speech therapy room and three consultant rooms.

The extension will also allow NHS Highland to introduce facilities that will comply with all the regulations for the decontamination of reusable devices used in dental and podiatry services.

Some of the money for the extension will come from the Scottish Government's fund to improve dental provision.

NHS Highland says that it will provide the GPs with more space to cope with the growing population in the village.

An NHS Highland spokeswoman said: "We don't have the funding available for a new health centre, but plans are continuing with the extension due to take place in the new year."

She added: "An extra six rooms are being added to the surgery - three consulting rooms, a treatment room, a speech therapy/multi-function room and a practice manager's office.

"The extension will replace the space being taken up by the decontamination unit while also giving us an additional three rooms."

The spokeswoman went on: "It is the long-term aim of the practice to have a new build. The extension is an interim measure to ensure adequate accommodation is available for the immediate future.

"Once the current pressures on the capital process have eased, a new bid for funding to provide a new build can be submitted for consideration."

Anne Cosh, who is NHS Highland's Head of Decontamination Services, said it was one of a number of projects to take place in the region.

The cost of building the extension at Aviemore and at seven other Highland locations is expected to run to about £900,000.

The total cost, including equipment and fit out, is projected to be in the region of £1.7 million.

GPs had wanted to build a new centre on the grounds currently occupied by Aviemore Village Hall, and transform the existing surgery into a 30-bed residential care home.

NHS Highland officers had been working with GPs and staff at Aviemore Medical Practice for months to explore options for GP and related services in Aviemore, and a feasibility study had been commissioned.

However, Nigel Small, general manager of the local community health partnership, had stressed to the "Strathy" in May "that any preferred option would need to be considered in light of NHS Highland's current financial situation."

No-one from Aviemore Health Centre was available for comment as the "Strathy" went to press yesterday (Tuesday).

Aviemore Community Council members gave their backing to the village's health centre at their latest meeting, with a proviso that the disabled access was improved.

Chairman John Grierson said at the gathering: "They're spending all that money on that extension, and they can't spend any more money on the door?"

He added: "It is an awkward door, and I cannot see why a medical centre, which must have a high number of disabled patients, would not want to have satisfactory access."

However, the NHS spokeswoman said that disabled access to the centre would be improved as part of the extension.

She remarked: "We agree there are modifications required for the door and we have been in touch with a company regarding this, but it's not a simple piece of work.

"We are looking to identify the resource to fund the work, and are looking into how we can link this to the extension."

The go-ahead for the improvements at the surgery is subject to planning permission being approved.

j.wilkins@sbherald.co.uk

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