COUNCILLORS have welcomed the news that a Basingstoke medical practice will relocate, if plans for a multi-million-pound development are approved.
Earlier this week, the Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) announced it had approved plans to relocate Chineham Medical Practice to Jameson House.
It comes as the current site in Reading Road is no longer large enough and does not meet the needs of the growing population.
To allow for the practice to relocate the CCG has said the intention is to add a further wing to Jameson House and provide first floor space over part of the building.
Internally the building will also be completely gutted and refitted, a lift will also be installed to the upper floor level.
A CCG spokesperson said: “The relocation of Chineham Medical Practice is a multi-million-pound investment which will be jointly funded by the NHS and Assura, who develop and manage a portfolio of primary care medical centres across the UK.”
The relocation has been welcomed by Chineham ward councillors on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC).
In a joint statement, councillors Paul Miller, Jenny Vaux and Laura Edwards said: “The Chineham ward councillors welcome the news that there has been confirmation, subject to planning approval being granted, that the Chineham Medical Practice is planned to move to the upgraded Jameson House complex as soon as practicable.
“The current location in Reading Road has struggled in recent years only from pressures during the Covid pandemic but from an increasing number of patients from the newer local housing developments.
“The expanded facilities at Jameson House will ease this burden, improve patient access and built-in future capacity.
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“We have reached this stage through the persistence of the head of the Chineham Medical Practice, the Hants and IoW Primary Care Network and BDBC to facilitate this essential move to provide the best primary care possible to our local communities.”
The increased space will allow health and social care services such as GPs, nurses, midwives, counsellors, district nurses etc. to all be located in the same building which has not been possible at the current location. This additional space will allow clinical teams to meet regularly and will improve the integration and continuity of care provided.
The practice is due to move into the new premises at the end of 2023.
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