Photo: Gedling MP, Vernon Coaker, on the Carlton construction site

Gedling MP, Vernon Coaker officially launched the start of construction of an £7.5m modern one-stop centre for health and social care in the heart of Carlton yesterday.

The new building, located on Burton Road, is expected to open in early 2006, and will provide the local community with improved access to a greater range of health and social care services and community facilities under one roof including:

• GP practice (Dr Campbell & Partners)
• Outpatient clinics
• Primary care diagnostic facilities
• Community dental service
• Podiatric surgery
• Pharmacy
• Community mental health services
• Office space for community primary health care and social services team
• Other community facilities

It is one of five sites in Greater Nottingham to be developed over the next 18 months by Greater Nottingham LIFTCo (Local Improvement Finance Trust) - a 25 year public private sector partnership (PPP) agreement between the four Greater Nottingham primary care trusts - Broxtowe & Hucknall PCT, Gedling PCT, Nottingham City PCT and Rushcliffe PCT - Nottingham City Council, Partnerships for Health (an agency of the Department of Health), and Primary Plus Ltd. These shareholders will deliver 21st century primary health and social care facilities throughout Greater Nottingham, in the areas that need them most. The government-led initiative is part of a wider strategic approach also involving Nottinghamshire County Council, Broxtowe Borough Council and Rushcliffe Borough Council locally.

Two other sites currently being developed as part of the first tranche of the Greater Nottingham LIFT programme are Stapleford (costing £11m to construct) and Clifton (costing £8.8m to construct). A further two sites in Hyson Green (Mary Potter) and Keyworth are due to be finalised early next year.

The City-based schemes, Clifton and Hyson Green, will also provide Nottingham City Council services, reflecting its equal shareholding in Greater Nottingham LIFTCo.

MP Vernon Coaker said: "The launch of the £7.5m Carlton LIFT one-stop centre for health and social care yesterday and a further £20 million across Greater Nottingham LIFT's other four sites currently being constructed or planned shows that community-based health care is changing. These premises are not just replacements but will provide integrated primary care services and are part of a sustained building programme of modern, purpose-built health, social care and council premises in Greater Nottingham over the next 25 years."

Lynne Winstanley, chief executive of Gedling Primary Care Trust added: "The development of the new Carlton one-stop centre will greatly enhance the health and social care for the people of Carlton and the surrounding area. Involvement of the general public, local users of services, local councillors and staff has meant that many issues have been raised and addressed. We look forward to having a facility which will be part of the community and provide those services which are needed for the local population."