Plans for our new state-of-the-art healthcare building in Wallsend have now been approved, with work officially set to start on the new Hadrian Health Centre later this year.
Subject to CCG approval, Park Road Medical Practice and Portugal Place Health Centre will be moving into the new building upon completion.
More than 20,000 patients use the two surgeries, but the current buildings are not in shape to provide the health services they would like to.
Kerry Burnett, GP from Park Road Medical Centre, said: “We are all excited that the plans for the new building have been accepted. Our current premises don’t allow us to provide the level of care and service to our patients that we would like to be able to.”
The new medical centre will be built on land next to The Forum Shopping Centre - fewer than 500 metres from both current sites. The new building will help the practices provide more flexible appointment times for patients, room for specialist services in the community and clinical training accommodation in an appealing, energy efficient space. The centre build will also make room for extended hours of GP care and increased training capacity for new staff, as well as allied community services run by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and a variety of healthcare practitioners to increase the range of services available to the community.
Caroline Fawcett, GP from Portugal Place Health Centre, said: “The practice is really looking forward to moving into the new building. During these unprecedented times, the significance of being able to provide the best possible service to those in our community has never been greater and the new building will be a fantastic asset in helping us provide that.”
The plans for the building include new clinical rooms – both consulting and treatment suites, light and airy spaces for patients, dedicated training areas, excellent access on foot, by public transport and by car and dedicated parking spaces.
Norma Redfearn CBE, Elected Mayor of North Tyneside, said: “I am delighted that residents in Wallsend are going to benefit from a new health centre. This is a huge step in the regeneration of Wallsend town centre and will result in much improved and more accessible facilities.
“It also builds on the council’s recent achievements in Wallsend working alongside partners, including transforming the vacant former police station into much-needed affordable housing and the recent purchase of eyesore properties in Charlotte Street which will be refurbished and provide even more affordable homes. The Wallsend Customer First Centre provides a range of important services and continues to be developed further, while residents and visitors also benefit from a new retail development which was completed in recent years and the former town hall has been beautifully refurbished and converted into a successful business centre and events venue.”
Andrew Cooper, our Senior Development Manager, said: “We are delighted to have planning permission and look forward to making a start on site soon to finally bring forward this transformational development that will benefit the whole community in Wallsend as well the lucky staff based here.”
The project is expected to start in May and is estimated to take 15 months to complete. Patients will be informed further of changeover dates by the practices upon completion of the new centre.