Abstract Integrated Healthcare - Mixed-Use Development - Eaglescliffe, Stockton on Tees

Date: 10 Apr 2008

Abstract Integrated Healthcare and North Tees Primary Care Trust (PCT) are delighted to announce that work has begun on site for a £2.7 million health centre in Eaglescliffe, Stockton on Tees. P+HS Architects successfully achieved planning consent for the scheme in January this year and Tolent Construction Ltd has been appointed as the principal contractor to deliver the innovative new centre to replace the existing Eaglescliffe Health Centre.

The existing premises, housing a partnership of General Practitioners offering a range of services for over 8000 patients, have been outgrown by the increasing local community, confirming the need for a new, state-of-the-art development with room for future expansion. The provision of the new premises is fully supported by the North Tees PCT and included in the PCT's Estate Strategy as a primary care development priority. The scheme also received overwhelming public support at the planning consultation stage.

The main elements incorporated by P+HS Architects within the new building include an extensive GP surgery with accommodation for GPs, Nurse Practitioners, Healthcare Assistants and related clinical staff and a PCT community clinic with group spaces for activities such as parent and child sessions and meeting and training spaces, including a library and group room.

New temporary accommodation will be provided on the nearby open space in Muirfield Drive to enable the redevelopment works to take place on the existing site in Sunningdale Drive. It is expected that the new building will be complete and ready for occupation by the Practice by Summer 2009, when the temporary site will then be fully reinstated.

As with other previous schemes in Stockton and Hornsea, the centre is being developed by Abstract Integrated Healthcare and leased to the Practice. Mark Glatman, Chief Executive of the Abstract Group said; "I am extremely pleased to finally be able to take this scheme forward with the cooperation of the PCT and Stockton Borough Council following various unfruitful attempts by others over a number of years. This is a much needed and long-awaited community facility."

Joe Biggs, Director at P+HS Architects continued," The start on site at Eaglescliffe marks the beginning of a new era in healthcare for the local community. The new centre will accommodate state-of-the-art facilities and in turn be able to cope with the rising population in the area. At P+HS we strive to create the best healthcare facilities for our clients and we hope that the new Eaglescliffe Healthcare Centre will showcase some of our best work."

Angela Mackereth, Practice Manager at Eaglescliffe Medical Practice added;"It is exciting to see the work beginning on site to deliver the new centre and gradually see the plans come alive. A new health centre that can cope with the ever expanding number of patients and offer many services under one roof is just what this community needs."

Ali Wilson, Director of Health Systems Development for North Tees PCT concluded: "The project includes additional investment from the PCT and contributes to our major change programme entitled: "Momentum: Pathways to Healthcare". This programme will see the development of a number of additional developments in primary care and the community aimed at delivering care closer to home.

New Eaglescliffe Health Centre to be developed