Work on new GP surgeries gets under way
Work begins this month on two brand new GP surgery buildings in Hackney, providing new premises for two practices which together treat tens of thousands of patients.
The long-established Lower Clapton Group Practice, one of the largest in Hackney, has more than 15,000 registered patients and will move into the Portico building, a stunning but unused Clapton landmark. Located next to Clapton Girls School, the building will be extended and upgraded to become a Local Health Centre.
Spring Hill Practice, another large practice with more than 14,500 patients, will move into a new purpose-built two storey surgery on Belfast Road in Stoke Newington. This will be constructed on a Council-owned site that was used for industrial purposes since the Victorian era and has been empty for over five years.
Both practices are currently operating within outdated premises which are too small and not fit-for-purpose.The new buildings will provide more space and better facilities for patients, while the increased capacity and additional services on offer will also help the practices to both recruit and retain more staff.
A partnership between Hackney Council and NHS North East London, the projects are the first major newly developed GP premises in Hackney for over ten years, and have been designed in collaboration with the practices, their patients, and Healthwatch Hackney.
These investments in new and improved health facilities will directly benefit patients and practice staff on these new sites.
The Portico building is a stunning local landmark, and bringing a heritage building into use as a space that benefits the local community carries on a proud tradition in Hackney of not letting valued buildings fall into disrepair. Similarly, the new development for Spring Hill Practice will provide an opportunity to utilise a previously neglected space.
Through funding this scheme, Hackney Council is playing its part in the London Councils’ pledge to improve the primary care estate to make it fit for the changing needs of its diverse communities.
These are two great examples of what the local NHS and London Borough of Hackney can do by working together as partners for the benefit of patients, staff and other local services.
I know the local GPs and their wider teams can’t wait to move in and make the best use of what the new space has to offer. For example, local patient volunteers will be able to use the extra space to run groups and classes for patients and staff. I’m sure patients will be equally excited about the new buildings for their local practices, which have excellent environmental specifications in addition to looking fantastic.
Work on the Portico building will begin in early August, with development on Belfast Road starting in mid-August.
The new local health centre at the Portico will include:
- 18 consulting rooms
- 6 treatment rooms
- 1 minor procedures room
- Administrative, staff and patient accommodation and reception areas
The new surgery for Spring Hill Practice will include:
- 20 consulting rooms
- 3 treatment rooms
- 1 minor procedures room