Residents in a Northumberland town are set to benefit from a significant investment in a healthcare facility.
Work to extend the Bedlington Station Health Centre is now under way in a bid to improve facilities and provide the best care for a growing number of patients.
The patient list of The Gables Medical Group stands at 7,000 and that figure is steadily increasing.
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In response to the rising demand for healthcare services, the site's landlord - NHS Property Services (NHSPS) and the NHS Northumberland Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) came together for the project, which will involve creating four new consulting rooms.
In addition, the Gables Medical Group's branch surgery will co-locate on the site.
Karen Spencer, practice manager for The Gables Medical Group, said: “We have been fortunate to receive funding to expand our team to ensure we provide the best care we can to our patients.
"The extension means we can take full advantage of this and expand the services we offer.
“In addition, we will also be a training practice to support GP registrars from August, which is an exciting opportunity for the practice, and the additional space means we will be able to facilitate a training hub.”
The overall aim of the £180,000 project is to expand local primary care capacity by ensuring the practice can cope with an increased patient list.
It comes after an additional £250,000 in improvements over the last few years to make the site more modern and sustainable.
NHS Northumberland CCG’s head of commissioning – estates and premises, Jamie Mitchell, added: “We recognise the importance of practices having fit-for-purpose facilities to support their efforts to cater for all of their patients’ needs, which is why we have a comprehensive estates strategy with a focus on improving patient care at its heart.
“Successful partnership working like this with NHSPS and practices means that we can take advantage of opportunities when they arise, in line with our plan.”
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