CONSTRUCTION work on a new £7 million medical centre in Stourport has reached the halfway point with the site set to welcome its first patients in the autumn.
The project has faced a number of hurdles due to the pandemic, but the main structure, ground floor external walls and roof trusses of the new building, in Dunley Road, are now complete.
The new Stourport Medical Centre will replace Stourport Health Centre and York House Medical Centre, which bosses at Wyre Forest Health Partnership (WFHP) say are outdated, too small and no longer fit for purpose.
Staff and patients at the two sites have already merged to cope with challenges brought about by the Covid pandemic, meaning the town's doctors are currently housed in one site while the other is used as a clinical overflow and administrative space.
Clare Nock, chief executive at Wyre Forest Health Partnership, said: “This was a complex project to bring together and it has taken a great degree of commitment and determination on all sides to turn the building from an ambition to a reality.
"The new medical centre will enable us to offer our 21,500 patients a wider range of services, in a building fit for 21st century primary care.
"We look forward to sharing it with our patients.”
Health bosses say the redevelopment of the primary care estate in Stourport is vital in ensuring the future of primary care for the locality.
The project has faced a number of difficulties, including the build phase of the contract being undertaken throughout the lockdown, however the new medical centre is still due to be delivered on budget.
Gbpartnerships are working closely with architect, West Hart Partnership, and Assura plc, which will become the building’s long-term owner and property partner.
Ian Tuddenham, development director at gbpartnerships, said: “I’m extremely pleased to see this important facility progress so well, which is testament to the strong partnership working between ourselves, WFHP, Assura, and our experienced design team. The result will be a fantastic modern primary care facility for the patients and staff of Stourport.”
Jon Webb, senior development manager at Assura, said: “I’m delighted with the progress that has been made to bring this development to the community in Stourport.
"With everything that’s going on in the world at the moment, medical facilities that are fit for purpose and enable staff to deliver the best possible care to patients have never been more important.
"It’s taken a lot of effort and teamwork from everyone involved to deliver this project and the latest steps are a very significant milestone in delivering this modern medical building.”
The project has been made possible thanks to a £1.5 million capital grant from NHS England and due to a significant ongoing annual revenue investment by NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire CCG.
Simon Trickett, chief executive of the local CCG, added: "It’s great to see this project proceeding as per the planned timescale and we all recognise what a challenging year both the Wyre Forest Health Partnership, the development, and the construction teams have had.
"The project has involved a significant capital and revenue investment from the NHS to make it happen and the building will be a huge upgrade on the existing facilities.
"We are all looking forward to it opening later this year and being able to play a major part in delivering modern healthcare for the local community.”
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