A ceremony has been held to mark the topping out of a new £6.5 million medical centre, due to be completed by contractor G F Tomlinson.
The ‘Two Spires Medical Centre’ in Wigston, Leicestershire, is currently under construction by Midlands-based G F Tomlinson. The centre will replace the existing four practices that serve the area with a state-of-the-art facility offering patients access to improved services.
Tradition has been central to the project; the centre even takes its name from the unusual presence of two medieval churches in the town, and, in recognition of ancient building rites of passage, the project team held a topping out ceremony to celebrate the final beam being placed in the roof structure.
Nick Banks, construction director at G F Tomlinson, said: “This project has been progressing extremely well and we’re very pleased to be at a point where the ‘topping out’ ceremony can take place. Once completed, this will be a state-of-the-art, large-scale medical centre serving local people in the area and will be a facility of which they can be truly proud.”
The development is being overseen by GPI – one of the UK’s leading investors in the health sector.
GPI regional director David Sadler said: “Every project has its challenges, and a project of this scale is certainly no exception but I’m delighted with the progress that’s been made since works commenced on site. I know the new medical centre will have a huge impact and vastly improve local primary care services for up to 25,000 patients.”
The medical centre, which is located at the former South Leicestershire College site, will give patients access to a far wider range of services including minor surgery as well as a purpose built clinical suite when it opens later this year.
Amanda Anderson from NHS Leicestershire and Lincolnshire’s area team, said: “The Wigston surgery development will provide an excellent environment from which healthcare will be delivered for all patients. The facility will enable the practices to deliver improved access, offering greater flexibility, training and development.
“The building has been designed to create a welcoming and safe environment for all patients and staff. It will accommodate four practices and the layout of the building is such that it allows flexibility for the future. This has been made possible through the commitment of the four practices, the former PCT (now area team) and GPI.”
Practice business manager at Bushloe End surgery, Robert Whitehead, said: “This has been a long time in the planning – more than four years. There will be 35 consulting rooms in total, which will enable us to provide more services for patients. At Bushloe End we have 13 consulting rooms and there are days when we would like to have more. All four practices are looking forward to moving into the centre and having modern premises.”
The project is due to be completed in autumn, 2014.
