A PEEBLESSHIRE surgery has officially ‘reopened’ after refurbishments were completed.

Although West Linton Medical Centre continued to provide its services for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic, it opened its newly-renovated building at a ceremony last week.

At the gathering held on August 12, the ribbon was cut by five-year-old Luke Shelley.

Lynne Paul, practice manager at West Linton Medical Centre, said: “The building is not as it was.

“Luke was definitely the star of the event.”

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Luke was invited to the opening ceremony after he had helped to brighten up the centre during lockdown by cleaning the practice’s signs as part of a local calendar competition.

“The reason we asked Luke to open the surgery is that Luke took part in a West Linton village calendar competition called “renew and regeneration,” said Lynne.

“He was a late entry but when we saw that he cleaned our sign, he was definitely the surgery’s little hero!

“It was so important to us to recognise what Luke did for us and very apt given the regeneration of the surgery, the best person to open the surgery was Luke!”

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The medical centre was first built in 1980, however, it had not been upgraded in over 40 years.

These recent refurbishments were completed in phases as work was temporarily stopped due to COVID-19.

The refurbishment included new rooms and Lynne says it’s improved the atmosphere for staff and patients.

She said: “It’s more of a multi-purpose building now.

“The space is more clinical now, it was very old fashioned.

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“It gives a better space to work in.

“And it feels more cosy, it was very cold before, so it’s more comfortable for patients.

“It’s more welcoming.

“The work was long overdue.

“Some people have been scared to go into practices during COVID-19 but we want people to contact us, we’re at the end of the phone, we’re here to help.”