WORK to build a new Kidderminster medical centre that will house two GP surgeries has got underway.

The new Primary Care centre is being developed on The Ringway on the site of the former Cheshire Printworks, which was demolished at the start of the year.

The state of the art medical centre for Kidderminster Health Centre Practice and Forest Glades Medical Centre is expected to open summer 2016 and will cater for more than 14,000 patients.

It will also include a new pharmacy and additional ‘shell’ space to allow for additional services in later years. It also features rooms for GP consulting, GP training, treatments, counselling, phlebotomy and minor operations in addition to outpatient appointments and group training sessions.

Bosses say the practices current sites in Bromsgrove Street, are cramped and outdated.

Dr David Starkie of Kidderminster Health Centre Practice said: “This superb, new, purpose-built development will provide a modern new home for our practices and has been one of the key catalysts for our decision to merge.

“The additional space will help encourage better team working, offer improved facilities, more appointments and allow for additional services in the future.”

“Staff are all very excited that the construction has now started and will continue to deliver top class medical care from such a state-of-the-art medical facility.

“It will provide a huge boost to staff, doctors’ and patients’ morale and responds to a need that was clearly identified a number of years ago.”

The project was originally approved by Worcestershire Primary Care Trust in 2012 and subsequently signed off by NHS England in 2014 with planning consent being granted in April 2014

Jonathan Webb, Development Director for developers Matrix Medical, said: “We are delighted that construction has finally commenced, this is the culmination of a well co-ordinated team approach involving a number of different stakeholders.

“The new Kidderminster Medical Centre is a much-needed community facility that will bring real benefits to all patients and enhance the service provision in a convenient and prominent gateway location for the town.”

Wyre Forest MP, Mark Garnier, added: “This is exactly the kind of facility that the NHS wants and I’m thrilled that Kidderminster residents will soon be able to take advantage of services offered by this improved facility.”