Work has begun on a brand new health centre in Silsden, West Yorkshire. The project is led by health and social care developer Ashley House Plc with funding from Assura Group, and will enable major improvements to local social infrastructure through the provision of new premises for the Silsden Group Practice to deliver wide ranging healthcare services in a purpose-built, efficient and flexible environment.
The new health centre, due for completion in March 2014, will house the nine local GPs, together with four nurses. In addition to the consulting rooms the state of the art facility will provide treatment rooms; a minor operations suite; a podiatry unit and a hub for district nurses and health visitors. A new independent pharmacy operated by Lloyds Pharmacy is also part of the development.
“We couldn’t be more delighted,” says Practice Manager, Jeremy Pullan. “This new surgery will mean that we can provide a full range of community healthcare services from our own modern facility. Ashley House has really understood what our patients needed and worked with us to try and achieve it. Now the work has started our vision is soon to become a reality.”
Not only will the new health centre offer many benefits to the community, but the construction phase has also had its upside through community involvement. The local fire brigade, situated next door, was able to undertake several invaluable training sessions on the derelict building before it was demolished. Also the local primary school, Hothfield Junior School, has rented unused playing field space for use as a builder’s compound by Wildgoose Construction, who is constructing the new premises to gain additional income to be ploughed back into education.
Once completed, the Silsden Health Centre will become part of the specialist investor and asset manager Assura Group’s property portfolio. Assura Group works in partnership with Ashley House on several facilities across the country. Amanda Roddy, development manager at Assura Group, said: “Our Asset Management team is dedicated to providing professional and efficient management across our entire portfolio. We are delighted to be working with Ashley House, the CCG and the surgery team to deliver this new building and ensure that it is maintained to the highest standard.”