Ruth Edwards has welcomed a significant step forward in the campaign for a new health centre in East Leake.
The GPs have appointed a developer, Assura, to lead the design and build of the new centre.
The current GPs surgery is the oldest in Nottinghamshire and, with the growth of the village, is running out of space. Despite being extended several times, the building is now no longer able to house the number of doctors, nurses and other clinical staff that are needed in the area.
A new centre will allow for a wider range of healthcare and other services under the same roof.
It will be home to the dentist’s surgery, with ambitions for other services such as the library and pharmacy to join as well.
Now that a developer has been appointed, they will lead talks with the other organisations that may want to relocate to the new centre.
More information will be available soon and there will be an opportunity for residents to feedback on their views over the next few months, with more information on how to do this to follow soon.
Once this has all taken place and the plans for the centre have been drawn up, Assura are hopeful of submitting a planning application in early 2024. The current aim is to break ground on the new centre in 2025.
Ruth has been campaigning for a new health centre in East Leake since her election in 2019. She has held debates in Parliament, met with ministers and brought Health Minister, Maria Caulfield, to East Leake to back plans for the upgrade.
Ruth said “I am delighted that we have taken this huge step forward in our campaign to deliver a new health centre for residents of East Leake and the surrounding area.
“The new health centre is a massive issue in East Leake. It is the one I get asked about the most by residents and I am really pleased to report that things are moving forward, and we are closer than ever to delivering a centre that the people of East Leake, and the NHS staff who serve them, deserve.
“I will continue to do everything that I can to make sure that this project is delivered as soon as possible. NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) have been working hard on this proposal for many years and I’m grateful for their commitment to this project at this important step forward.”
County Councillor for Leake and Ruddington Matt Barney said “I’m so delighted by the news that at long last a developer has been appointed to manage the rebuild programme for a brand new East Leake Health Centre.
“I know that this has been a long journey for East Leake and the surrounding communities that rely so much on our Health Centre. This is really good news and I very much look forward to continuing to work closely with all involved to bring this project forward as quickly as possible.”
• Ruth Edwards MP launches campaign for new East Leake Health and Community Hub