The expansion is in response to growing demand thanks to nearby housing developments
Gamston Medical Centre is set to be expanded in the new year.(Image: Gamston Medical Centre)
Work is set to start on a major expansion of a medical centre in Nottinghamshire in the new year after the final go-ahead was given by the council.
Gamston Medical Centre will receive a two-storey extension to the existing building, providing six new ground-floor clinical rooms, an expanded waiting room for patients and additional office space for staff.
The additional consulting rooms are will allow the practice to expand the clinical team, providing additional appointments with GPs and other healthcare professionals.
A spokesperson for the medical centre explained that Rushcliffe needed extra primary care capacity due to significant housing developments set out in the Rushcliffe Local Plan 2011-2028, which is estimated to increase the borough’s population by around 30,000.
Currently, Gamston Medical Centre has 6,921 registered patients, which marks a 20 per cent increase from 2019, with demand set to increase further.
Suzy Lyon, Managing Director of Partners Health, said: “This investment is a vital step in meeting the healthcare needs of our growing population.
By working in partnership with NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, Rushcliffe Borough Council and local developers, we are able to deliver more modern, accessible facilities that will benefit our patients for years to come.”
The scheme will be entirely funded by Section 106 contributions, collected from housing developers by the Borough Council.
Construction work is scheduled to begin in January and is expected to last around ten months, during which the medical centre will remain open and will operate as usual.
Caroline Goulding, Director of Primary, Community and Proactive Care at NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, said: “GP practices in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have delivered a record eight million appointments in the last 12 months, and demand continues to increase.
“This means that the buildings some of our practices are based in also need to be upgraded so that they can continue to provide the best possible environment for patients and NHS staff.
“I really welcome the extension of Gamston Medical Centre and am grateful to all the partners who are helping to deliver the project.”
Lynne Sharp, Associate Director of Estates at NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, added: “The Gamston Medical Centre project will help ensure that local health infrastructure keeps pace with population growth, improving access to primary care, reducing inequalities, and supporting broader social and economic development in the community.”