£3million fit-out underway on the new Orpington Health and Wellbeing Centre

Work on a £3million fit-out programme is well underway at the new Orpington Health and Wellbeing Centre.

The continuing progress means patients are coming closer to receiving treatment in a high quality local centre once services move in next year.

The centre will house a GP surgery – the Knoll Medical Practice, which is relocating from their existing premises nearby – and a range of community health and wellbeing services, including out-patients.

NHS Property Services (NHSPS) is undertaking the £3million interior fit out programme on behalf of NHS Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

The Orpington Health and Wellbeing Centre is part of a wider programme by the CCG to improve health services across Bromley.

Catherine Webster, Senior Construction Manager at NHS Property Services, said: “This is an important stage in the process and we are now fully focussed on delivering the fit-out process.

“This project is part of our work to ensure the NHS operates from modern, fit-for-purpose buildings.”

Dr Andrew Parson, Clinical Chair of Bromley CCG said, “This is exciting progress for both our residents and the staff providing healthcare in Orpington.

“Our patients tell us that they want more care delivered from easy to access, community facilities. The new centre will help us to do this by providing a range of services in a very high quality, purpose built environment which is local and accessible. It will also avoid many patients having to go to hospital for routine treatment.”

The first patients are due to begin using the centre in mid-2019.

Dr Ruchira Paranjape, one of the GP partners at Knoll Medical Practice, said: “Our whole practice is very excited with the progress being made and looking forward to moving in next year. Our staff and patients will benefit from having modern and fit for purpose premises that will enable us to embrace opportunities to develop our services further.”

Peter Smith, Managing Director, Berkeley Homes Eastern Counties, added: “The new health and wellbeing centre is an important addition to Orpington, particularly with the ongoing revitalisation of the town. The centre will play a vital role in the community, and provide improved, purpose-built healthcare facilities for both existing and new residents.”

Brunswick Square, located on the site of the former Orpington Police Station, is owned by Berkeley Homes (Eastern Counties), who purchased the site in Orpington town centre in 2015. The development is now home to 83 apartments, retail space and a café, alongside the new health and wellbeing centre.

NHSPS has agreed a lease on the ground and first floor of the seven-storey development for the new health facility.

A business case was developed which was approved by NHS England and the CCG. Patients and other local partners have been instrumental in the development of plans for the new centre.

Note – The above image is a general view of the development and doesn’t necessarily show the part of the development where the NHS facility will be.