Plans to build a new medical centre for a Winchester GP practice are picking up pace – after the project received the green light to go ahead from the NHS.
The scheme, which will create a modern, purpose-built facility for the St Clements Surgery city centre practice on a nearby car park site, has now received all official approvals from both NHS England and Improvement, and NHS Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group.
It means the project can now move ahead to tender the build contract, ready to begin work on site later this year. Planning permission for the scheme is already in place and minor amendments to the design have also been approved to ensure the layout is future-proofed and can accommodate the latest advancements in clinical care with space for minor surgery and treatment, collaboration with other services and organisations, training areas and a digital health hub.
GP Partner at St Clements Surgery, Dr Suzie Burns, said: “It’s incredibly exciting to have reached this stage and to know that construction will actually begin in a matter of months. This is such a fundamental part of our plans to continue improving care for our patients and to deliver the service we want to for people in Winchester.”
Clinical Director at North and Mid Hampshire CCG, Dr Charlotte Hutchings, said: “This build is a priority for primary care in the city and it’s fantastic to see it moving forward.”
We are funding and developing the scheme, and the impact of the building’s design to enable new digital ways of working will be part of an in-depth, multi-year study led by Wessex Academic Health Science Network, which is also due to begin work soon. Winchester City Council remains a key supporter of the project, having agreed a 150 year long leasehold on the site with us.