Published date: 06 December 2023
Somers Town Health Centre Redevelopment: One Year On
In late 2022, Somers Town Health Centre, near St Pancras Hospital, became a local hub for excellent patient care. One year on and the facility is driving better health outcomes for the Camden community after undergoing a £920,0000 redevelopment scheme.
Originally, St Pancras Hospital was set to undergo its own redevelopment scheme. However, services needed to be relocated to Somers Town Health Centre which was also unfit-for-purpose and, at that time, unable to accommodate the patient influx.
As such, NHS Property Services (NHSPS) and North Central London Integrated Care Board worked collaboratively to identify, plan, and complete the phase of work. To fund the refurbishment, £920,000 was raised via NHSPS’ disposal policy – the sale of surplus land which is reinvested back into local health economies.
The two co-existing GP practices: Somers Town Medical Centre and Kings Cross Surgery remained in occupation. Their conjoined 16,604 patient list will continue to have access to the improved spaces and appointment capacity post the opening of St Pancras Hospital.
A lease was also acquired on the adjoining office space, which was converted into clinical areas for primary care use. The reception area, meeting space, and staff welfare facilities were updated, along with the addition of six new clinical rooms. New flooring, lighting, and interiors were installed whilst the health centre remained operational, so that patients were able to seek care when needed.
Dhiren Ganesh, Senior Strategy Manager for NHSPS, commented: “We are delighted to see how well Somers Town Health Centre has performed over the past year. It has delivered many integral primary care services to thousands of patients from across the locality.”
He continued: “We look forward to being part of the centres blossoming future as it goes from strength to strength. Both our colleagues and NHS staff will continue to provide the local community with excellent patient care now and into the future.”
Simon Wheatley, Director of Integration at North Central London Integrated Care Board, said: “The fantastic success of the Somers Town Health Centre over this past year is testament to the benefits of local health and care services working in a more joined-up, collaborative way to deliver health improvement projects in north central London.”
“Since the beginning, patients have been placed at the heart of plans for this new health centre. We are absolutely delighted with the benefits that the new, modern Somers Town Health Centre is delivering for thousands of local people; making it easier to see the right healthcare professional in suitable, modern clinical and rest spaces which practice staff enjoy coming to work in.”
