A new state-of-the-art £12.3 million medical centre in Walsall has now opened its doors to patients.
Located on Hatherton Street, the new medical centre brings together four existing GP practices into one modern, purpose-built facility.
The Limes Medical Centre, Lichfield Street Surgery and Sycamore House Medical Centre have now merged as one practice, Umbrella Medical, and will be located in the centre alongside Saddlers Surgery.
By coming together, the two surgeries will offer a greater variety of services to its 27,000 patients, reduce waiting times for patients and provide access to medical specialists.
Designed by Gould Singleton Architects, the centre will provide treatment rooms, consulting rooms and meeting rooms. In addition, there will be an on-site pharmacy, as well as 110 on-site parking spaces.
Dr Martin Stevens, Senior GP Partner at Umbrella Medical, said: “We are delighted to finally open our long awaited medical centre. Over 90% of our patient consultations are face to face and our existing surgeries are full to capacity. Our new surgery gives us more consulting and treatment rooms allowing us to see more patients. We will also be able to provide an improved range of services with access to a bigger choice of clinicians.
“The centre is bright and airy, and provides a pleasant and comfortable environment for patients, visitors and staff. There are significantly improved facilities for patients with disabilities or limited mobility, and for children.
“I would like to thank our Patient Representation Group for all the help and support they have offered along the way.”
Sarb Basi, Director of Primary Care for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “We’re really pleased to be supporting this long-awaited project at a time when demand for GP appointments is greater than ever.
“The opening of this state-of-the art medical centre is an important development for the local community, providing much-needed extra space and additional modern facilities for both patients and staff.
“It will also allow the practices to meet the growth in patient demand as well as offer additional care to the benefit of patients and help us to integrate with wider health services in the area.”
Midlands-based construction company Speller Metcalfe was responsible for building the state-of-the-art facility to meet the sustainable BREEAM Excellent standards. This means that the medical centre meets a number of sustainable standards including energy, waste, pollution, materials and management.
Rob Lashford, Divisional Director for Speller Metcalfe said: “We are delighted to see the completion of this new medical centre for the residents of Walsall.
“As a local contractor, we know the difference these improved facilities will make to the provision of healthcare in the area.”
Walsall is in the middle of a £1.5billion transformation with numerous projects currently underway to improve connectivity, increase jobs and housing and provide new business opportunities. The completion of Hatherton Medical Centre is one of many exciting developments that will improve services and quality of life for Walsall people.
Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Wellbeing, Leisure and Public Spaces, said: “The new state of the art Hatherton Medical Centre will be an asset to the borough, serving the community from a central and well-connected location.
“It’s especially exciting to hear that the facility meets the sustainable BREEAM Excellent standards and helps us to move towards our target of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The facilities available at the centre will make a huge difference to healthcare services for Walsall people and I am delighted to see the completion of the project.”
