After uncertainty at the start of the month over the future of St Luke’s Healthy Living Centre, Southend Borough Council’s Head of Policy and Improvement has said that the project will go ahead.
In early June it was revealed that the plans for the health centre at Temple Sutton Primary School’s playing fields had no date set for building work to commence, and no set opening date.
St Luke’s Health Centre replaced the surgery that previously operated from Cluny Square but also provides a walk-in service to anyone, regardless of whether they are registered with the surgery.
The walk-in service can treat patients with minor injuries and illnesses and is open from 8am to 8pm, every day of the year including all bank holidays. No appointments are necessary for the walk-in service and it operates on a first come first served basis.
In its first year St Luke’s Health Centre has treated in excess of 12,000 walk-in patients and has had in excess of 15,000 registered patient appointments.
The original plans for the healthy living centre included providing a GP surgery, dentists and district nurse services, replacing the temporary walk-in centre on the site. The effects of the recession meant that the future of the project looked uncertain, with the new centre being listed as fourth on the NHS South East Essex list of priorities for new primary health care centres.
Today, however, Southend Council’s Head of Policy and Improvement Shazia Ullah confirmed that the project will go ahead as a phased development.
Ms Ullah said: “The new phased development will enable us to create a Healthy Living Centre and get valuable community services up and running next summer.
“The original proposal had to be revisited in light of increasing financial pressures faced by all partners.
“I am pleased to say that we are able to progress with this fantastic project that will deliver much needed services in St Luke’s.â€
The new approach will instead deliver a campus style-layout, rather than the original plan for a single building unit. Many community services for health and wellbeing will be rolled out next year, including a multifunction room for training, meetings and physical activities, business incubation units, meeting rooms, and space for charities and support agencies to meet local residents. NHS services not delivered in the St Luke’s area, such as phlebotomy (drawing blood) and children’s services, are also part of this initial stage.
Stage two, subject to planning permission, will see further services rolled out such as a permanent home for a GP practice in St Luke’s, as well as a walk-in centre. Andrew Pike, Chief Executive for NHS South East Essex, said:
“NHS South East Essex is still committed to the development of permanent GP premises for the St Luke’s walk in centre in partnership with Southend Borough Council and the St. Luke’s Healthy Living Centre CIC.
“We are confident that the new phased plans offer better value for money whilst
supporting our original intentions to use the Healthy Living Centre to deliver new NHS
health and a new permanent GP premises to the St Luke’s area.â€
