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First Brick Laid at Health Centre

Doctors, patient group representatives, civic dignitaries and members of NHS Wirral gathered on Laird Street, Birkenhead for an official brick laying ceremony at the £7m state-of-the-art health centre intended to bring much improved modern health facilities.

Frances Street, chair of NHS Wirral, led the ceremony of marking the opening stages of building work on the facility, which is being provided by Assura, a specialist in primary care premises and services provision, along with its development partner, LSP Developments, architects West Hart Partnership and Liverpool-based Nobles Construction as main contractor.

Frances said: "This is an exciting initiative and we look forward to when the scheme is complete - it will provide the people of Birkenhead with top class health services from state-of-the-art facilities."

Once completed, the facility will accommodate eight GPs from the nearby Miriam and Cavendish medical centres, replacing their existing buildings with modern and purpose built accommodation that will enable the practices to offer a wider range of extended services. Both practices will retain their own identities within the new building.

Located alongside GP services, the facility will host additional community services provided by NHS Wirral, as well as an onsite pharmacy. 

The facility will also accommodate services provided by Peninsula Health, a partnership between 26 Wirral GP practices and Assura.

Peninsula Health is currently providing a range of services, which include orthopaedics, rheumatology, nerve conduction stuides and audiology.

In addition to this, an Assura Health and Wellness Centre will be located on the floors above the GP practices and pharmacy, which will provide serviced clinical accommodation to related medical practitioners.

Tom Cooke, development manager of Assura, said: "The new facility is not only a huge investment in healthcare for the local community, but the result of real partnership working, involving the GPs, NHS Wirral, the council and local people, which has not only ensured that this health centre is needed, but also locally desired."

Dr Abhi Mantgani, senior partner at the Miriam Medical Practice, said: "The new surgery will be everything that we could have hoped for. It has taken a huge amount of input and support to achieve this fantastic facility.

"We are looking forward to continuing the care of our patients, who have been very supportive of our plans."

Dr Janet Melville, senior partner at the Cavendish Medical Centre added: "It will be a shame to say goodbye to our old building, but we recognise the need for purpose built premises in order to be able to meet the needs of 21st century healthcare.

"The new building will be fantastic for doctors, staff and, most importantly, for our patients."

Ian Tuddenham of LSP Developments, said: "We have worked closely with the GPs, NHS Wirral and Peninsula Health to deliver this bespoke facility, designed to specifically meet the users' requirements. It is great to now see it progressing well on site."

Construction is expected to be completed by March, 2010.

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This article first appeared in the 5th August edition of the Wirral Globe.