Plans for a new £6.6m health centre development in Brockworth have moved a step forward thanks to funding approval being granted by NHS Gloucestershire’s Primary Care and Direct Commissioning Committee.

The news means that subject to planning approval from the Local Authority, the new centre could be operational by winter 2024, providing GP services to around 14,000 patients.

The practice has already outgrown its current surgery building, and with the local population set to increase over the next eight years as a result of the new Perrybrook housing development, the GP partners and NHS Gloucestershire identified the practice’s need to move to more spacious and modern premises.

If given the go-ahead, the new centre will be built on the Perrybrook development, less than half a mile from the existing building.

The extra space in the new premises would be used for additional consulting and treatment rooms which would enable the practice to meet growing patient demands by expanding its workforce and extending the range of services it can provide. This would include different kinds of support, for example, from pharmacists and nurses as well as specialist clinics to support patients living with long term conditions or chronic illnesses.

Additional consulting and meeting rooms would also enable more doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals to receive training and educational updates whilst the improved reception and waiting areas would be more comfortable for patients and staff alike, with better levels of security, areas for privacy and good access for people with disabilities or mobility issues.

Dr Simon Whiteside, GP Partner at Brockworth Surgery, said:

“We outgrew our current building some years ago and we are really pleased that our plans to improve primary care services in Brockworth are moving forward.

Having modern new premises in such an accessible location will give us the base we need to continue to provide the high quality services that the people of Brockworth deserve, and we look forward to working with the specialist Primary Healthcare Team at Osmond Tricks on the design and management of the development.

We would like to thank our Patient Participation Group (PPG) for their involvement and support in helping us to reach this milestone. We are also grateful to Avison Young for guiding us through the land acquisition and lease and rent discussions as well as the Parish Council for their backing.”

Assura PLC have been selected by the GPs as their preferred development partner.

Ashley Seymour, Development Director at Assura, said:

“We are delighted that this important project has received NHS approval and we look forward to working with the practice and NHS Gloucestershire on the next stage, which will be the submission of a planning application.”

Director of Primary Care and Place at NHS Gloucestershire, Helen Goodey said:

“We are delighted that this development is moving forward.

The new health centre would be modern, spacious and environmentally friendly with good access for people with disabilities and better facilities for children and families.

It would enable doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals to offer a broader range of services to patients.”

This development is part of wider plans to improve GP premises across the county.