A MULTI-million new doctors' surgery in Winchester has passed a vital hurdle.
The new St Clements Surgery on the corner of Friarsgate and Upper Brook Street has received the green light from the NHS.
The scheme, which will create a purpose-built facility on the car park, has now received all official approvals from both NHS England and Improvement, and NHS Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group.
It will replace the 1960s building on nearby Tanner Street. The surgery has around 15,000 registered patients and is the last GP practice in the city centre, after Friarsgate relocated to Weeke and Riverside to Oram's Arbour.
READ MORE HERE: Relocation of St Clements Surgery in Winchester: the latest
The project is now free to tender the build contract, ready to begin construction later this year.
Planning permission from the city council has already been secured 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, 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.”
SEE ALSO: Assura to build Upper Brook Street GP surgery in Winchester
The scheme is being funded and developed by national primary care premises specialist, Assura plc which is involved in 600 primary care buildings nationwide.
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 Assura.
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