Work has started on the internal reconfiguration of Canvey Primary Care Centre (PCC) to provide multiple health and wellbeing services, bringing care closer to home for local residents.
The first phase of the project includes outpatient clinics, space for a new state-of-the-art X-ray machine and two accessible changing areas on the ground floor. This is a key priority for NHS Mid and South Essex – the new body responsible for most local healthcare – and Castle Point Borough Council.
X-ray equipment previously based at the NHS Outpatient Centre in Long Road, Canvey, had reached the end of its useful life so upgraded equipment and facilities were required. As well as making sure the Canvey Primary Care Centre is better used, providing care for the local community.
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, Community Health Partnerships and Prydium (LIFTCo) have all worked in partnership to make the project happen, with gbpartnerships providing management services provider expertise.
The two-storey 2,955 m2 (31,807 sq ft) Canvey Primary Care Centre opened in 2009 to provide modern, flexible facilities for the local community. Currently the centre is home to three GP surgery teams on the first floor plus physiotherapy, podiatry, ultrasound, leg ulcer and dermatology services. The building is at the centre of Canvey, putting it within 30 minutes by public transport for anyone living on the Island.
Three-phase project at Canvey Primary Care Centre creating a health hub
The £981,000 outpatients and X-ray project is the beginning of a three-stage programme to develop a health and care hub for all Canvey residents. It will offer more local services to improve people’s health outcomes, especially older people.
The PCC will do this through putting “out of hospital care” at the heart of the local community and make greater collaboration between services possible. This will include simpler referral for diagnostic testing and a smoother patient journey through the health and care system. In turn, this should improve access to health and care, reducing waiting lists.
The second phase of the PCC programme will improve facilities for the GP teams on the first floor and the third phase will create a health and care hub delivered by NHS and Castle Point Borough Council teams. The hub will allow services to move in from the Long Road Clinic to a building that’s fit for purpose, make better use of NHS premises in the area and free up local authority assets for regeneration work.
NHS Mid and South Essex and its partners in local government and the voluntary sector share ambitious plans to improve how and where health and social care is delivered within our community. The NHS Mid and South Essex Estates Strategy identifies Canvey PCC as a priority site for investment in line with policies set out in the “NHS Long Term Plan”.
NHS Mid and South Essex estates lead Kerry Harding said: “The opportunity to make sure Canvey residents can access as many services as possible without having to rely on lengthy journeys off the island is a key part of bringing these services together in the primary care centre. We’re keen to make progress with our phased plans so the NHS and our partners can offer joined up services on a single site fit for the future.
Eugene Prinsloo, Developments Director at CHP said: “CHP are delighted to have reached this milestone that secures local access to X-ray services for the people of Canvey Island. The flexibility of our health estate is once again demonstrated and shows how these important community assets are at the heart of local communities”.
Elaine Siew, Pyridium Director and gbpartnerships CEO, commented: “This is a really positive step towards maximising capacity and helping the local community to access services closer to home.”