26 January 2010
Work has begun on an extension to the Glenroyd Medical Centre which will provide local patients with extended and improved GP and pharmacy facilities.
The £500,000 scheme is being undertaken by landlord and specialist healthcare and pharmacy provider Assura, along with their architects West Hart Partnership, project managers Carl Dean Associates and local contractor Nobles Construction.
Construction has been phased and temporary accommodation has been provided adjacent to the existing building to minimise disruption and to ensure that the medical centre and pharmacy can remain open throughout building works.
The scheme involves an extension to the rear of the building and includes the provision of a lift that will enable patients to make use of the first floor of the building for the first time.
Once completed, the extended medical centre will benefit from three additional purpose built GP consultation rooms allowing the practice to expand and improve on the existing cramped conditions. The GPs also hope to offer additional medical services to the local community in the near future while allowing new patients to register with the practice.
The existing Assura Pharmacy will also be re-fitted and extended so that the current range of services, such as the popular free prescription collection and delivery service which drops off medicines to a home or work address, can be increased.
In addition, the improved pharmacy will also have new private consultation room where patients will be able to speak to the pharmacist about a range of minor ailments in complete confidence.
In some cases this may save a visit to the GP, resulting in a faster service for patients and helping to alleviate pressure on busy GPs by allowing them to concentrate on more complex cases.
Commenting on building work, Assura development manager Tom Cooke said: "We are delighted to have the opportunity to help the GPs from the Glenroyd Medical Centre to improve their facilities so that they can continue to offer their excellent range of services to a wider section of the local community.
"As well as additional GP consultation rooms, patients will benefit from a new range of services as well as a bigger pharmacy with the added benefit of a private consultation room so that patients can discuss minor ailments with the pharmacist in private."
Dr Simon Shearer, a GP from the Glenroyd Medical Centre, said: "We are very pleased to see that work has begun on improving our medical centre which has become cramped and outdated, preventing us from providing a wider range of services for our patients.
"We would like reassure patients that we are operating as usual and to thank them for their patience during the construction process."
All building works are expected to be completed by July 2010.
ENDS
Press enquiries regarding Assura Group to:
Russell Elliott, Assura Group.
Tel: 020 7107 3833
Louise Bathersby, Assura Group.
Tel: 020 7107 3830
