FIRST AID UNIT

FIRST AID UNIT

Plans approved for Chipping Norton health park
A £3 million medical centre has been given the go-ahead by planners at West Oxfordshire District Council. Development of the Chipping Norton Health Park can now commence, bringing improved and much needed medical facilities to over 14,000 patients in Chipping Norton.

The 2,000 sq metre development is being jointly undertaken by the town’s White House and West Street Surgeries who will both relocate from their individual premises in the centre of town. The contemporary style health park has been planned and designed by the specialist primary care team at the Bristol office of leading national property adviser GVA. The new health park is to be situated at Russell Way, off London Road, on the edge of Chipping Norton, adjacent to the new community hospital, so creating a dedicated health campus for the town.
Designed over three floors, the two surgeries will have 18 consulting rooms, 16 clinical rooms, as well as a pharmacy. “Both surgeries have been operating for many years out of older premises that are cramped and short of space for our needs, with poor access and parking for patients and staff,” says Doctor David Edwards from White House Surgery.
“Patients of both surgeries can now look forward to facilities that are far more suited to today’s healthcare requirements. There will be more space for consultations, additional services, and importantly an environment that provides a much improved patient experience. Patients will no longer have difficulty finding a parking space as we are including a large car park and bicycle park.”
Dr Jane Pargeter from West Street Surgery continues, “We are grateful to the Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust for their support throughout our planning process. “Both surgeries are absolutely delighted that we are going to see this dream become reality. We have been aspiring to this for many years, it’s been a long road and we are all looking forward to the next twelve months.”
The £3 million construction programme will result in a building of the highest environmental standards of BREEAM excellent standard. GVA director Tim Scruton, who has been working with both surgeries for four years in the planning of the new facility adds that the building has been designed in a contemporary style that takes inspiration from local architecture.
He comments: “We will be using stone and timber cladding, in keeping with local building styles, as will be large windows which take their inspiration from the Georgian style seen in Chipping Norton. The new building will feature a canopy and colonnade at the front entrance.” GVA has provided land acquisition, planning and architectural advice to both surgeries, and will be operating in a project management role throughout the construction period.
Tim Scruton adds: “The primary care market is a rapidly changing, highly regulated sector, and new policy often has implications for GPs’ property interests. GVA offers a multi-disciplined approach ensuring our clients benefit from a combined understanding of both technical and commercial solutions.”
The primary care health team at GVA was recently been awarded the title Property Adviser of the Year at the General Practice Awards 2012.

Quote! (“Patients of both surgeries can now look forward to facilities that are far more suited to today’s healthcare requirements")
Lets hope the NHS don't use these fine facilities as an excuse to close the New First Aid unit.
Don't forget use it or loose it! Ed.