Croydon’s NHS has been given the green light on a £6 million investment in a new primary care medical centre, it was confirmed Thursday 20 March.
The new medical centre, which will be located in the heart of Coulsdon on the site of the former CALAT building, will be developed through a partnership with Croydon Council and aims to meet the growing demand for primary care services, providing over 35,000 additional GP appointments to residents living in the south of the borough.
The build, due start this summer, is the next step in the NHS’ plans to improve access to health services for local people, helping residents to seek medical help closer to home.
Matthew Kershaw, Croydon’s Place-Based Leader for Health, said:
With the opening of a new medical centre, we have the opportunity to actively improve the health of local people, providing them with the support they need to stay well, manage existing health conditions at home and seek advice when they feel unwell.
For many Coulsdon residents, who have previously had to look outside of the area for this help, this investment is a significant step forward and I’d like to thank all those who have advocated on their behalf and worked with us to develop these plans, to improve local health services”
The development of the medical centre has only been made possible by the joint working of the local NHS and Croydon Council, who have agreed to retain the site for the health service to develop, supporting the Executive Mayor’s Business Plan of supporting health and wellbeing in the borough.
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon, commented:
This investment is fantastic news for local people. A modern, accessible medical centre will not only improve health services but will also contribute to ongoing improvements in the area.
Having listened to the needs of the community, I’m proud to see this project move forward, and I know local residents will benefit from this vital service”
Rt Hon Chris Philp, MP for Croydon South, who has championed the build on behalf of local residents, added:
The agreement of a new medical centre is a huge win for the people of Coulsdon. Alongside our health and local authority leaders, I’ve worked hard to ensure that this investment becomes a reality, and I’m delighted that we are now taking this important step towards better healthcare provision in our community.
This is part of our ongoing efforts to improve services for residents and ensure that they have the healthcare they deserve”
Construction on the new primary care medical centre will begin later this year, with the facility expected to open its doors to patients in 2026.