Council approves new community health centre at empty office site
Empty offices in central Gateshead will be transformed into a community health centre to offer accessible health and wellbeing support.
Following council approval, a conditional agreement to lease the former offices on Prince Consort Road is being moved forward with Together for Gateshead Community Interest Company (CIC).
Under the approved proposals, the council will grant a long-term lease to the social enterprise, paving the way for the building's full refurbishment and transformation into a new medical centre, pharmacy, and community space.
The approved scheme will see the ground floor developed into a whole‑community GP practice accommodating Bewick Road surgery and a pharmacy, making health appointments, advice and support easier to access for all residents in the area. The upper floors will provide office accommodation and community space to support wider community needs.
Councillor Bernadette Oliphant, cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing at Gateshead Council, said:
"Improving access to health care is essential to reducing the impact of health inequalities on our communities.
"We're proud to support the government's neighbourhood health framework by working with Together for Gateshead CIC and health partners. By supporting a new community health centre to open at the longstanding empty offices, people who live in the area will have more choice for health appointments and advice, reducing pressure on existing services in the area."
Dr Ruth Bonnington, GP at Bewick Road surgery, said:
"We are delighted that plans to provide Bewick Road with a new, enlarged home are progressing. This will mean we will be able to provide services from fit for purpose accommodation with additional space for allied staff. We are enormously excited to see this project up and running."
Find out more about the government's framework at neighbourhood health framework - GOV.UK.
Empty offices in central Gateshead will be transformed into a community health centre to offer accessible health and wellbeing support.
Following council approval, a conditional agreement to lease the former offices on Prince Consort Road is being moved forward with Together for Gateshead Community Interest Company (CIC).
Under the approved proposals, the council will grant a long-term lease to the social enterprise, paving the way for the building's full refurbishment and transformation into a new medical centre, pharmacy, and community space.
The approved scheme will see the ground floor developed into a whole‑community GP practice accommodating Bewick Road surgery and a pharmacy, making health appointments, advice and support easier to access for all residents in the area. The upper floors will provide office accommodation and community space to support wider community needs.
Councillor Bernadette Oliphant, cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing at Gateshead Council, said:
"Improving access to health care is essential to reducing the impact of health inequalities on our communities.
"We're proud to support the government's neighbourhood health framework by working with Together for Gateshead CIC and health partners. By supporting a new community health centre to open at the longstanding empty offices, people who live in the area will have more choice for health appointments and advice, reducing pressure on existing services in the area."
Dr Ruth Bonnington, GP at Bewick Road surgery, said:
"We are delighted that plans to provide Bewick Road with a new, enlarged home are progressing. This will mean we will be able to provide services from fit for purpose accommodation with additional space for allied staff. We are enormously excited to see this project up and running."
Find out more about the government's framework at neighbourhood health framework - GOV.UK.
