A further £19 million is to be invested in health, social care and City Council services in Nottingham as part of the second phase of the Greater Nottingham Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) project.

New facilities will be built in Hyson Green and Keyworth through a contract signed by Nottingham City and Rushcliffe Primary Care Trusts and Nottingham City Council, with Greater Nottingham LIFTCo as part of a 25-year partnership between public and private sectors.

The new buildings will be owned and maintained by LIFTCo, as part of an ongoing programme to give local communities better access to a greater range of health, social care and other services, including city council services in Hyson Green, all under one roof. The first phase of the project has been a huge success, with new facilities in Stapleford, Carlton and Clifton due to open to patients and the public early in 2006.

Gary Smerdon-White, Chair of the Greater Nottingham LIFTCo, commented:

“We are pleased to be developing two exciting buildings which, through our partnership, will provide first class health and social care services to people in Greater Nottingham”

Activity will start on the site of the new £4.5m Keyworth primary care centre this week, with major construction work starting early next year. Construction work will start on the £14.5m Hyson Green joint access centre site in February 2006. The new building in Keyworth is expected to open in Spring 2007. The first phase of the new building in Hyson Green will be open to patients in Spring 2007, with all building work due to be completed by mid 2008.

Head of Capital Development at Rushcliffe PCT, Lynne Sharp said: “This is very exciting news for the patients and staff in Keyworth. A lot of planning and preparation work has taken place with local staff, residents and the local authorities to develop the building and services. We are looking forward to seeing it all take shape over the next year.”

Cllr Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Social Services at Nottingham City Council, said: “This is a major investment in brand new facilities for people in Hyson Green. Like the new joint service centre being built in Clifton, the Hyson Green building will enable people to access a whole range of services from one single location.”

Roger Williams, Executive Director at Nottingham City PCT, says: “This substantial investment in Hyson Green will see better access to services for local people and a more integrated approach to the provision of these services. By working with our partners at the City Council, we are able to offer a wide range of health and social care facilities all under one roof, at the heart of the local community.”