CONSTRUCTION work on the new £10m Primary Care Centre in Seaham was celebrated with a traditional ground breaking ceremony.

NHS County Durham and Darlington Chairman, Lady Ann Calman, attended the ceremony along with the Mayor of Seaham, Cllr Brian Allen, Chairman of Durham County Council, Cllr Mac Williams, members of the project team and representatives from construction company Carillion and LIFTCo, the partner organisation which is developing the scheme.

The new primary care centre will bring together a wide range of servicesunder one roof. Services in the new centre will include GP practices, X-ray/ultra sound services, podiatry, retinal screening and a walk-centre.

The PCT has already completed the demolition of the former Seaham Clinic and the derelict magistrates court in order to begin foundation works for the new centre.

The contractors are committed to completion of the new facility by April 2012, with the building due to become operational and open to the public in May 2012.

The building is part of an overall regeneration of St John’s Square area which will include a multi-use centre being developed by Durham CountyCouncil.The new centre will house a variety of services including a library, registrar’s office, adult mental health services, East Durham Homes, a parent/child meeting place and a local office to deal with general queries involving issues such as council tax and benefits.

A large community space will be at the centre of the new building son StJohn’s Square. It is hoped this will form a civic heart to the community of Seaham.

David Gallagher, Director of Unplanned Care, NHS County Durham and Darlington, said: “The new primary care centre will not only provide health benefits for the people of Seaham and the surrounding areas for years to come, but will also contribute significantly to the regeneration of the town centre.”

Scott Clarkson, Care Partnerships 25 Ltd’s Estates & Project Manager, said: “This ceremony officially marks a very important and exciting stage in the development of the Seaham Primary Care Centre – the culmination of extensive partnership working between NHS County Durham, local GPs and service providers, ourselves as the LIFTCo and our supply chain. It is a fantastic project which not only provides the people of Seaham with 21st century healthcare facilities, but has a much wider, positive impact since it continues the drive to regenerate Seaham town centre.”