Labour’s Mr Callaghan visited the former Debenham’s site last week, where the the empty unit’s ground floor, first floor and basement are set to be transformed into a multi-purpose health centre.
On track to open in November, the mini-hospital is set to house a number of retail units alongside various healthcare services.
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“I visited the new hospital coming to Basildon town centre at the Eastgate last week — and it’s brilliant,” said Mr Callaghan.
“It’s going in on the ground floor, first floor, and basement of the old Debenhams building and is set to open this November. Contracts are nearly done — this is happening.
“It will include a brand new GP surgery and will help take pressure off Basildon Hospital, increase NHS capacity locally, and it will bring more footfall into our town centre — with patients, visitors, nurses, doctors, and staff using shops, cafés and local services every day.”
Underway – Mr Callaghan recently took a tour of the under-construction health centre (Image: Gavin Callaghan) Debenhams has been empty in the Eastgate since closing in 2021, and the new mini-hospital has previously been described as offering “24/7 NHS care”.
The health centre is set to feature MRI machines, CT scanners, X-Ray machines and ultrasound equipment.
“There’ll also be some fantastic new retail units as part of this redevelopment — we’ll be announcing some names in the coming weeks,” added Mr Callaghan.
“This is exactly the kind of common-sense investment Basildon needs: services brought closer to home, pressure taken off our hospital, and our town centre given a much-needed boost.
“Basildon is getting better.”
Transformation – The new health centre would offer 24/7 care (Image: Sheppard Robson) Before the opening of the mini-hospital in November, residents can look forward to the launch of a Fun Parx soft play attraction on the top floor of the empty Debenhams.
Last week, Mr Callaghan revealed that the centre would be open in time for the summer holidays and said it would expand the offering for the town’s young residents.
Costing as much as £600,000 to create, the new attraction will include features such as a large inflatable play area, traditional soft play space and an obstacle course.