The £6.8million investment into Hawthorn Medical Centre was celebrated this week (3rd November) at a groundbreaking event.
Colleagues from NHS Property Services, NHS Greater Manchester, Hawthorn Medical Centre and representatives from Manchester City Council and project partners joined patients to mark the start of work on the new health centre. It will provide modern, expanded facilities for its 6,000 patients.
The new facility will be located right near the existing site, and once complete, will offer at least five additional consulting and treatment rooms and onsite parking. It is expected to open in Autumn 2027.
While construction of the new facility progresses, Hawthorn Medical Centre will temporarily relocate to accommodation at Asda Longsight from December 2026.
NHS Property Services secured the temporary accommodation at Asda Longsight, approximately a mile from the current practice. The site was selected based on its availability, accessibility, quality of clinical environment and ability to accommodate practice services safely and effectively.
Patients will continue to receive the same GP services throughout the temporary relocation, with the site providing a modern, fully equipped clinical environment. Onsite parking will be available and information about public transport routes and travel options will be shared with patients in November.
Kevin Showler, Managing Director, North, at NHS Property Services, said: "We are delighted to have been a part of this project at Hawthorn Medical Centre. The five new clinical rooms being constructed will boost the healthcare services provided to the local community.
"This project demonstrates how NHS Property Services works with ICBs, Trusts and Councils alike to deliver excellent neighbourhood health care across England, helping to ensure an NHS estate fit for the future.”
Dr Laura Neilson from Hawthorn Medical Centre said: "Breaking ground on our new permanent home is a hugely exciting moment for everyone connected to Hawthorn Medical Centre.
"This project represents years of planning and partnership working and brings us a step closer to providing the facilities our patients and staff deserve.
"We recognise that the need for a temporary location during the construction period before we move to our long-term site isn’t ideal, we believe that the state-of-the-art health centre at the end will make it all worth it.”
Caroline Bradley, Director of Primary Care and Community Healthcare Services for NHS Greater Manchester said: "This groundbreaking ceremony marks an important step forward in delivering modern healthcare facilities for local people.
"The new Hawthorn Medical Centre will provide significantly improved clinical accommodation, creating additional capacity and supporting the delivery of high-quality primary care services for many years to come.
"We would like to thank patients for their patience and understanding while the practice temporarily relocates during construction. The move will ensure services continue uninterrupted while we build a facility that is fit for the future."