Building work on the long-awaited new GP surgery development in Stow-on-the-Wold officially got underway this week with a turf cutting ceremony to mark the start of construction.
The new premises for the Stow practice will be built adjacent to the Tall Trees property on Maugersbury Road, and will bring modern, spacious, state-of-the-art facilities to the town.
Some work has already started on the entrance to where the new building will be located in order to meet planning conditions and some of the car park levels are being finalised with the Planning Officer.
The development – funded by Assura - will significantly improve the local population’s access to primary care services, with seven GP consulting rooms, four nurse consulting rooms and space for phlebotomy and minor operations.
Dr Judy Thornett, Senior Partner at Stow Surgery said: “I am delighted that work is finally getting underway and that our patients will be able to benefit from much needed, modern facilities. Our current surgery no longer meets modern healthcare standards, so we desperately need new premises to ensure we can continue to provide high quality services to our patients for years to come.”
The new building, which will take around 12 months to complete, will provide first-rate facilities for reception and administration staff as well as 46 parking spaces for patients and staff.
Andrew Cooper, our Senior Development Manager, said: “Stow’s GPs have worked tirelessly to reach this milestone to create the modern space that they need for their work, now and in the future. We’re delighted to be providing the funding to make this building a reality and look forward to working with the practice in the years to come.”
Helen Goodey, Director of Primary Care at NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “This is a really positive development, and we are delighted that the practice is working with GVA and Assura to bring much needed, modern and spacious premises to the area. This will ensure we can continue to provide high quality primary care for the local population into the future.”
It is anticipated that subject to the construction schedule, the building will be available for use from winter 2018.
Tim Scruton, Senior Director and Regional Head of Building Consultancy at GVA, said: “GVA have been helping the GPs over the past 10 years with their property matters including land search, development options and architectural solutions.
We also are delighted that the finally approved solution is starting on site and we will continue to assist all parties through to successful completion of this critical project for Stow.”
Andrew Eastabrook from Eastabrook Architects said: “We have put a lot of thought into creating an attractive, environmentally sustainable building with pleasant, light, airy rooms, and with 46 parking spaces, we hope this will be an attractive centre for both patients and staff.”
Stow surgery has a practice list of about 5,500 patients. It is a GP registrar training practice, committed to providing high quality, safe and effective care.
The practice has six GPs who work alongside a clinical team of nurses, community nurses, community midwives, school nurse, and health visitors and office staff.