WESTCLIFF: £14m health centres could be open by 2013

Two new health centres – dedicated to the care of the people of Westcliff – could be open by 2013.

The facilities – on North Road and Valkyrie Road – will cost £14.1m to build and could benefit up to 40,000 people.

Planning applications have now been submitted to Southend Council and, if approved, building work could start as early as April next year.

The buildings will not be owned by the Primary Care Trust, but let from South East Essex LIFT  – a Local Improvement Finance Trust.

Margaret Hathaway Associate Director of Commercial Services for NHS South East Essex told longpier.com:

“I am thrilled that we’ve reached this stage, especially in light of the tough financial climate.  It’s vital that community premises continue to improve to be able to deliver high quality modern healthcare”

“We have been delighted by the positive response we’ve had to our existing Primary Care Centres in Leigh and Canvey and we hope that the residents of Westcliff-on-Sea will be able to share the benefits these centres offer.  We remain passionate about improving access to local heath services for patients.”

Local GPs are supportive of the development as the new Primary Care Centres would not only mean modern facilities for both staff and patients but would also provide more service delivered locally and provide a sound platform for GPs to take on more of a commissioning role – as recently outlined in the recent white paper: Equity and Excellence – Liberating the NHS.

The new facilities will also bring other NHS services together, under one roof, meaning that staff will be able to work more closely with other healthcare professionals to improve patient care.

It is planned that each of the new centres will include a range of services including GP services, a pharmacy, phlebotomy services and community nursing services.

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