New medical premises provide for future of primary care
A new medical development is being created in Gateshead to replace outdated current facilities and to provide for the future of healthcare in the local community.
Glenpark Medical Practice, in Dunston, is being replaced with a new-build state-of-the-art medical centre only 200 metres from its current site on Ravensworth Road.
Its current building dates back to 1904, when it was built as a private residence, and does not provide the space the practice needs to accommodate growing patient numbers and the increasing demand for the services it offers.
The new development, which forms part of the wider £20m Ravensworth Road regeneration project, will create a modern medical centre which includes eight GP consulting rooms, treatment and nurses’ rooms and car parking provision. It will also allow for future expansion to help cater for the growing population and increasing development of housing in the area, and provides for the future of primary care in the locality.
Work on the medical centre, which is being built by Keepmoat, is now underway with a provisional opening date set for early 2019, when all services will transfer from the existing premises to the new site across the road.
Glenpark Medical Practice serves over 9,000 patients at its site on Ravensworth Road and at the Dunston Medical Centre, drawing primarily from Dunston but also from many of the surrounding areas of Gateshead.
Dr Bronwyn Tasker, senior partner at the practice, said: “We are delighted that construction work has started on our new practice building. As a practice, we strive to provide the best possible health care and modern, purpose-designed premises will enable us to look to build on the range of services we offer our patients, as well as giving easier access for our patients with disabilities and those with young children.”
Glenpark Medical Practice has been supported with the new development by law firm Sintons, whose nationally-renowned specialist healthcare team act for GPs across the UK. Associate David Naughten handled the real estate work, with Alex Rayner, Partner and Head of Construction and Engineering, overseeing the construction aspects.
David said: “The creation of the new Glenpark Medical Centre will replace outdated premises which were no longer fit for purpose, so this is very good news indeed that work is now underway and the opening of the new facility is now on the horizon. This development forms part of a wider regeneration project along Ravensworth Road, and is improving provision for local residents in a number of areas; a new medical centre will be a vital new asset for the community.
“As specialist advisors to GPs across the North East and throughout the UK, we were able to clearly and effectively advise Glenpark on the process of taking these new premises, and we will continue to support them throughout the development.”
