Member Article

Work begins on £2 million County Durham health centre

Building work has begun on a new £2 million health centre in Wheatley Hill, County Durham, with the support of a seven figure loan from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.

The new facility will provide a state of the art medical facility for the village. It will serve around 6,000 patients and enhance the medical services available for the local population.

Five GPs will be based in the surgery side of the building, alongside an on-site pharmacy, commercial space for an optician or dentist, and facilities for visiting occupational therapists and health nurses.

NHS England will also be using space in the new health centre to provide more specialised treatments at a local level.

After completion of the new health centre, the existing Wheatley Hill practice on Thornley Road will be removed to make way for additional car parking space for patients.

Chloe Taylor, project manager for the GP surgery, said: “It has taken years of careful planning and hard work to get this project started, so we’re delighted that construction has started, putting a completion date in sight.

“We’re aiming to provide a one-stop-shop for patients in the new practice, offering diagnosis and treatment in the same building, as well as a range of additional NHS treatments that would normally only be available in hospitals – helping to reduce waiting list times.

“The support from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking has been essential in getting this project off the ground, and the knowledge and support from our healthcare banking consultant has been invaluable in the planning stages.”

Malcolm Swan, senior healthcare banking consultant for Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “The new Wheatley Hill health centre will be an enormous asset to the surrounding area for years to come, and one which was certainly needed due to the age of the existing practice building.

“Our dedicated healthcare banking teams have a wealth of experience in working with professionals in the sector, and can offer support and guidance that is up-to-the minute and tailored to their very specific needs.”

The 2.5 acre site adjacent to the current GP surgery was owned and supplied by the local council, and the project has received the support of many local councillors.

Councillor Morris Nicholls said: “The start of work on the site is really exciting news for the area, and reaffirms our commitment to providing high quality healthcare services to the local community. We look forward to seeing the doors open to the first patients in the near future.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .