The new Princes Park Neighbourhood Health Centre in Liverpool has opened following a major refurbishment.
Commissioned by NHS Liverpool primary care trust (PCT), the development was overseen by Liverpool and Sefton Health Partnership (LSHP) and the NHS Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) for Liverpool and Sefton. It was constructed by Galliford Try, while the design team was from Triangle Architects.
Building work began in December 2010 and now the £2.4m renovation is complete, providing a far wider range of community services, including extended GP opening hours.
The work is part of the PCT’s wider vision outlined in its New Health Service for Liverpool strategy, which was announced in 2007. Since then, millions of pounds has been invested in purpose-built or improved facilities across the city.
Princes Park is the penultimate refurbishment taking place as part of the scheme, with the opening of a new neighbourhood health centre in Kensington set to follow next year.
So far, improved services have been unveiled in Everton, Breeze Close, Picton, Yewtree, Oriel Drive, Speke, Garston, Childwall, Townsend Lane and Mere Lane.
Gideon Ben-Tovim, chairman of NHS Liverpool, said: “The New Health Service for Liverpool strategy is one of the most extensive health programmes the city has ever seen, and now it’s close to completion I feel NHS Liverpool has more than delivered on its commitment to provide effective, appropriate and convenient healthcare facilities across the city.”
Princes Park remained open throughout the building work, which took part in two stages to ensure minimum disruption to patients.
Graham Pink, chief executive of LSHP, said: “When we first set out to undertake these plans we had a clear vision for delivering attractive and modern health centres that were fit for the 21st century.
“I am delighted this vision is being fully realised, and that patients at Princes Park and at each of these other development sites, are now able to enjoy a modern neighbourhood health centre that will benefit the local community for years to come.”
