Work begins on state-of-the-art Urmston medical facility

The £2.3m facility in Woodsend Circle, Flixton, will bring together the 12,000 patients who are currently registered across two other Urmston GP surgeries, on Church Road and Woodsend Circle.

The project is being supported by NHS England, NHS Trafford Clinical Commissioning Group and the practice.

Rob Bellingham, director of commissioning at NHS England, Greater Manchester, said: “We are delighted that work has begun on this state-of-the-art centre that will make such a difference to the lives of patients in Urmston.”

The 11,000 square foot centre will comprise 11 consulting rooms, four treatment rooms – including a minor surgery suite – plus capacity for future expansion.

Practice manager, Deborah Darlington, said: “Our existing surgeries – a converted house and a converted shop – were never built with patients in mind and are restrictive in terms of space, so it will be wonderful to work in a purpose-built facility with room to grow.

“Our friendly ethos will remain the same but soon we will be able to offer our patients a streamlined service that is fit for the 21st century.

“The larger premises will also enable us to achieve our aims of becoming a teaching practice for newly-qualified doctors.”

Gina Lawrence, chief operating officer at NHS Trafford Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “The CCG are keen to improve the estates in which health care provision is delivered across Trafford.

"This development is one very important part of this and will offer vastly improved facilities to Urmston residents.”

LSP Developments is behind the scheme, funded by Assura, which is expected to take 60 weeks to deliver.

It forms part of a wider redevelopment that will also include a new supermarket, pharmacy, children’s charity and housing.

Additional temporary car parking will be provided during the construction for the existing retailers and GP practice at Woodsend Circle.

Both GP surgeries will remain open until they relocate towards the end of 2015.