A Cramlington GPs' surgery is set to relocated from one side of the Northumberland town to the other.
NHS bosses have approved a scheme for Brockwell Surgery to move into premises on the site of the nearby Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital (NSECH). The plan follows a consultation process which saw some concerns raised about the distance elderly people may have to travel to see their doctor but the practice has promised a patient transport service will be in place.
Other patients also expressed support for the plan - which is designed to move the surgery into modern accommodation amid worries its old building in Northumbrian Road is no longer fit for purpose. A six week engagement period saw more than 1,500 people express opinions about the move.
Read more: The 26 GPs' practices in the North East rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission
The move will see the surgery take up residence on the ground floor of the new health and education centre of excellence in the grounds of NSECH, though it will be an entirely separate building. It's due to be built by autumn next year.
Dr Aamir Munir, executive GP partner at the surgery, said he welcomed the decision and was looking forward to the new "fit-for-purpose, high-specification" location. "We will absolutely still be embedded within the community that we serve," he added. "Relocating here will mean that we can continue to improve the quality of care we provide our patients, continue to tackle health inequalities and do all we can to ensure the care is tailored to their needs and is as joined up as possible with other services they may require."
The plan is for there to be a pharmacy on site in the new building too. Dr Munir added there would be benefits to patients from "co-locating" with other health services and said: "I appreciate that there were mixed views when we did our patient engagement, but would like to reassure people that we will do all we can to address any concerns, including providing patient transport for those who need it and ensuring there is enough free parking on site.
"There won’t be any change to, or reduction of, the current services. There will in fact be a better provision as a result of more space."
A spokesperson from NHS Northumberland CCG said: "We are always pleased to see investment in and improvement of GP services for patients, which in turn improves patient experience and hopefully reduces health inequalities. Joined up care is an area that we know is very important to people and the new site will enable integration of services as well as improving the environment they access care, which again is great for patients."
The existing premises of the surgery are owned by the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust. It is currently reviewing how to use the site in future, but it could become a patient-facing "community health resource". Patients currently registered with the Brockwell Surgery will not have to re-register.
READ NEXT:
