A new £2m GP practice building will open in a Darlington village next week after seven years of operating out of a temporary building.
It has been announced that the service, based in Middleton-St-George, will open next Thursday (September 5) following years of operating from temporary premises and additional delays due to the COVID pandemic.
The new building provides 550m2 of space, including consulting rooms, treatment rooms, and areas for healthcare assistants and other health professionals to work from.
It will mean the practice, which has a patient list of nearly 6,000 and employs 20 staff, will be able to provide new services such as physiotherapy, take on trainee GPs, and register hundreds more patients.
Liz Stewart, practice manager at Middleton & Dinsdale Medical Practice (MDMP) said: "As we have watched the building take shape over the last ten months, excitement has risen.
"Now we are looking forward to a new era in the practice's history. We have more clinical space than we’ve ever had, and we hope to provide more services as we grow the practice."
The new building was developed by Community Ventures Management, an organisation of estates experts who designed, built and funded the new practice, with support from the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) and NHS Property Services.
Scott Clarkson from Community Ventures said: “It’s wonderful to see this great new facility opening to provide a purpose-built medical centre for the local community.
Most read:
- Latest pictures as 999 crews speak with man on roof of Darlington office block
- Two men charged with murder as alleged victim named by police
- Woman who arrived injured in hospital sparks CSI probe in front garden of home
"It’s been a privilege to work with the surgery staff to design, develop and deliver a bespoke new building that is planned around the way they work, making sure they can continue providing fantastic care for their patients.
"This scheme is a true example of close partnership working, not only with the practice but also with the ICB and NHS Property Services, who have been extremely supportive throughout and have been instrumental in the delivery of this amazing facility.”
Karina Dare, of NHS Property Services, added: "It is fantastic to see the completion of the new practice facilities. The ICB has prioritised funding for this development, at a time when there are very few new GP surgeries are being built, recognising the continuing impact of housing growth in the village. The new facility will provide an excellent setting for patients and staff."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here