The new three-storey 4,500 sq. m. (48,460 sq. ft.) building was built to accommodate Haresfield House Surgery and St Martin’s Gate Surgery, and clinical staff from Worcestershire Primary Care Trust and Murray’s Pharmacy. The two practices, whose combined list size total of 24,000 patients, had both outgrown their existing premises. Haresfield House had previously been based in a row of converted townhouses on Bath Road. St Martin’s Gate operated from the Primary care Trust owned health centre at Spring Gardens.

The state of the art building is located on part of the former co-operative dairy depot which was originally acquired by Lidl who built a store for themselves in 2004. The surplus 3.25 acre site was subsequently acquired by Birmingham based specialist medical centre developer, Matrix Medical, in 2005, following the grant of detailed planning consent in November 2004.

Alistair Blacklaws, Joint Managing Director of Matrix Medical commented, “It has been an absolute delight to have worked with two such forward thinking practices and pro-active PCT. Over the past few years we have had to overcome numerous development obstacles but have joined forces to deliver this new community facility.”

The £10 million landmark development forms a pivotal part of the PCT’s Estate Strategy and was built with the increasing local population in mind. In addition, the building contains approximately 20% of unfitted space to allow for future expansion.

Paul Bates, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Primary Care Trust said:

“The Primary Care Trust has worked in partnership with the GP practices and Matrix Medical to deliver this impressive new building. Staff and patients now have more space and this will undoubtedly significantly improve community healthcare.”

“Throughout the county we are continuing to drive forward modernisation of GP premises. This is typified in Haresfield and St Martin’s Gate surgeries. We are endeavouring to provide modern and accessible medical services to meet and, indeed, exceed the expectations of patients.”

Practice Managers Helen Hartley at Haresfield and Meg Richards at St Martin’s Gate surgeries said:

“Doctors, nurses and administrative staff are all settling well into the larger premises and we are now able to offer an improved healthcare service. We have had lots of positive comments from patients and many have remarked on how modern, comfortable and spacious the surgeries are.”

“We can speak for all our staff when we say this is a very proud day and we are delighted Cecil Duckworth, OBE, has agreed to officially open Turnpike House.”

The building was constructed by Warwick based Sol Construction. The architects were Bundred & Goode.