Last updated at 14:02, Thursday, 11 March 2010

DOCTORS are backing plans for a £3.5m health centre.

The state-of-the-art centre will be next to Grange Fire Station, near to Kents Bank Road.

It will replace two GP practices in the town, Rose Grove Surgery and Nutwood Surgery which, developers say, are no longer fit for purpose.

Pending planning approval, work is scheduled to start on site late summer, with the centre expected to open before the end of next year.

The centre, led by the GPI Group, which provides facilities for primary care services, will create 15 full-time and 22 part-time jobs.

Dr Hugh Reeve, lead GP from Nutwood Surgery, said: “The proposed new health facility will provide modern spacious accommodation specifically designed for the requirements we have in Grange which are currently being provided from grossly inadequate premises.

“We have worked in close partnership with GPI and its specialist team, Cumbria PCT who have been at all stakeholder meetings and South Lakeland District Council who are advised by NPS Group to reach this stage and are confident that, if approved, the new facility will prove a valuable asset to the local community.”

The proposed centre will have an on-site pharmacy and house a clinical team including GPs, nurses and other healthcare professionals.

Dr Sheila Phizacklea, a GP and senior partner at Rose Grove Surgery, said: “Everyone involved is delighted with the proposals.

“This new purpose-built surgery will improve healthcare facilities and services, car parking and community services. Following the well-attended public exhibition we are very pleased with the response from our patients and staff to the planning of our facilities.”

Andrew Caldwell, regional director at GPI, said: “We are very pleased to be working with the practices and PCT to deliver this important facility for the local community.”

First published at 13:14, Thursday, 11 March 2010
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk