Eight GP consulting rooms, a training facility, a room for nurses to consult and two for treatment are included in a £3m new surgery planned for Edinburgh.

Due to open in 2011, it is part of an £11.42m boost for NHS Lothian, which is itself part of £82m being allocated to health boards across Scotland.

The cash will pay for 13 new primary and community care projects, including £6.97m for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, and £7.62m for Grampian.

The new centres are at Cumnock, Ayr, Levenmouth, Glenrothes, Fraserburgh, Huntly, Oban, Campbeltown, Thurso, Inverness, Kirkwall, Stornoway and Tayside.

A top priority is funding for new dental facilities, with £6.22m to help independent dentists who may need to relocate because of the latest government hygiene and access standards.

They had warned that many practices do not have the space to meet the new requirements – including decontamination and special sterilising facilities – and might be forced to close.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "People in Lothian can now look forward to new and improved health facilities."

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NHS Lothian