A state-of-the-art £4m Bristol health centre has opened its doors to patients, heralding a milestone in healthcare.
The East Trees Health Centre in Eastville is one of the first of its kind in England to be built following the creation of NHS England in 2013 on land sold to local GPs in a landmark deal by NHS Property Services.
The land purchase deal was handled by the specialist primary health team at property consultancy Bilfinger GVA in Bristol and was among the first to be completed by NHS Property Services, which was formed to handle the NHS property estate.
East Trees has brought together two practices – Eastville Medical Practice and Maytrees Practice – to create a pioneering medical centre on a site adjacent to their former 1980s-built surgeries.
Bilfinger GVA fulfilled an architectural and project management role supporting the practices from feasibility stage, throughout the funding and the procurement process, as well as during the development.
The three-storey, 1,800 sq m centre has an increased number of consulting and treatments rooms, as well as facilities for an holistic range of new services such as minor operations, community nurses, speech therapy, podiatry and midwifery. There are also proposals for an onsite pharmacy.
Director at GVA Health in Bristol Frank Convery said: “This is a time of far-reaching reform for NHS primary care. Being one of the first health centres to be built post the creation of NHS England in 2013, this health centre is a milestone.”
Bilfinger GVA project manager Gareth Cox added: “These new facilities will enable both practices to provide a modern and efficient service to their patients for many years to come. It has been a privilege to be involved in this scheme from initial feasibility through to final completion.”
Maytrees Practice managing partner Steve Hartnell said: “This is a wonderful new health centre which will allow us to offer better care for the people of inner city Bristol which so desperately needs good healthcare facilities. Our old building was tired, old, too small – just not fit for purpose. As healthcare changes, it’s important for us to have a facility that meets this change.”
Pictured in the reception at the new East Trees Health Centre are: Back row, Frank Convery Bilfinger GVA director; Steve Hartnell, managing partner Maytrees Practice; Angela Toumi, managing partner Eastville Medical Practice. Font row, Gareth Cox, project manager, Bilfinger GVA and Dr Victoria Bowler, Eastville Medical Practice
