Patients to the north of Cheltenham are set to benefit from a brand new state-of-the-art medical centre next year, with building work getting underway this month.

The new premises will be built within the heart of the new housing estate at Cleevelands in Bishop’s Cleeve, significantly improving the growing local population’s access to high quality primary care (GP) services.

Cleevelands Medical Centre will see Seven Posts Surgery in Prestbury and Greyholme Surgery in Cleeve’s village centre come together on the new site, with the two original surgeries closing shortly afterwards.

The two surgeries currently provide care to over 10,300 patients, but with further housing planned for the area, the new larger surgery’s total number of patients is set to rise over the next few years.

The new building, which will take around 12 months to complete, will be built to modern, spacious, comfortable specifications which offer around 1,100 square metres of space.  It will have 14 clinical rooms, including consulting and nurse treatment rooms, as well as a suite for minor operations and an onsite pharmacy.

Alongside this will be another three clinical rooms ready to be used as the population grows and demand increases. There is also the potential for dentistry services to be provided and reception and administration staff will benefit from first-rate facilities.

Dr Diane Marson, GP at Seven Posts and Greyholme Surgeries, said:

“We are thrilled that building work is now underway and are excited to see it progress over the coming months.

We have put a lot of thought into creating an attractive, environmentally sustainable building with pleasant, light, airy rooms, and with 48 parking spaces, we hope this will be an attractive centre for both patients and staff.

We’ve also thought ahead to the next 25 years and beyond, and have secured space on the site for further expansion, should this be needed.

We look forward to welcoming all our patients, and to offering our existing and new patients the best possible care.”

Director of Primary Care at NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, Helen Goodey said:

“This is a really positive development for the area and its growing population.

The new centre will mean that patients can benefit from facilities in future that are fit for modern healthcare and support the provision of high quality care.”

Commenting on their appointment and on the beginning of the works, Bill Badham, Managing Director of Pollard, said:

“We are delighted to have been selected as the main contractor for this new medical centre.  Today is the culmination of a lot of hard work and planning by all involved in the project and this ground breaking ceremony marks the next milestone in ensuring our client’s vision becomes a reality.

We now look forward to working as part of the team to deliver this important community facility.”

It is anticipated that subject to the construction schedule, the building will be available for use from autumn 2018.