Overview
Providing a wide range of health services to its local community, the purpose-built Grove Medical Centre – valued at £4.88 million – opened in April 2014. The building replaces what had been the Hamilton Road Central Surgery – originally located 500 yards away.
With too few consulting rooms and limited services, the Hamilton Road premises failed to meet the needs of Felixstowe’s broad demographic and was considered beyond renovation. At Octopus Healthcare, we saw this an opportunity to develop a new facility with the space to deliver more services to benefit patients.
As advisors to the MedicX Fund (investors in state-of-the-art health infrastructure), we were able to help finance Grove Medical Centre. Additional funds came from several Church of England parishes as well as NHS Suffolk.
The construction
To ensure this vital project was delivered with maximum efficiency, we partnered with property solutions firm GPI, which completed the build in less than 12 months.
Fulfilling the needs and expectations of all stakeholders was extremely important to us. It’s why we worked with our NHS partners, regional healthcare commissioners and GPs from the original Hamilton Road surgery. Harnessing their experience and insight meant we could establish the facilities needed to benefit the local community. It also meant we could ensure the new centre would complement care offered by the Felixstowe Community Hospital.
The building
Grove Medical Centre stands as a testament to stakeholder cooperation and our unwavering dedication to putting people first.
It is a thriving 16,000 square foot, state-of-the- art health services hub that benefits more than 14,000 patients. Boasting 26 modern consulting rooms, a small operating theatre for minor surgeries and the space to run numerous clinics the centre offers a range of services under one roof – perfectly illustrating integrated care.
Demonstrating just how important the centre is to the community, local bus routes were redirected to provide regular drop-offs and pick- ups. Ample parking for cars and bikes was also included – ensuring services were accessible to as many patients as possible.
Benefitting local communities
Grove Medical Centre now covers the needs of its growing population and includes: maternity and ultrasound services, freeze clinics, breast screening facilities, and mental health services.
But the centre doesn’t just provide medical care. Its bright, modern, 21st century facilities serve as a focal point, hosting meetings for staff, carers, patients and local healthcare professionals. The surgery also plays an important part in educating and nurturing the local community with its strong links to promoting health initiatives such as the ‘warm homes, healthy people’ programme.
As Grove Medical Centre shows, the keys to unlocking the future of healthcare, are collaboration, cooperation and innovation. For us, it’s not about separating the private from the public, it’s about creating the best of both worlds.
To find out more about how we can partner with you, call us on 0345 0404 555 or email [email protected]
