The new primary care centre is being developed by Matrix Medical on behalf of the Bridgnorth Medical Practice and Shropshire County Primary Care Trust and is due for completion in April 2007. All building works for the new 45,000 ft (4,000 sq. m.) facility to be situated behind Bridgnorth Hospital, are being carried out by Chase Norton Construction.

The new building will enable the practice to offer a full range of clinical services, including minor surgery. It will also accommodate the Community Mental Health Team, community staff, including district nurses and health visitors and fully comply with the Disability Discrimination Act. Matrix Medical will also be incorporating in-built expansion space to allow for any future changes in services.

Dr Michael Goodall said, "I am delighted that we are now making a start on this wonderful new facility which will complement and integrate with the redevelopment of Bridgnorth Hospital. It is over 5 years since we first started this project and it has been a long and difficult project to bring to fruition. I am grateful to everyone who has contributed to this project and in particular for the support given by Councillor Iain Seivewright and Shropshire County PCT for all the hard work they have put in to make this possible."

Hester Parsons, Director of Primary Care and Community Services at Shropshire County PCT, said: "The Primary Care Trust is very pleased that plans to build a new surgery incorporating the Community Mental Health Team are now progressing. The new premises will be designed to incorporate the present and future needs of Primary Care. This will be an excellent service for patients in the Bridgnorth area who will be able to access community nursing, minor surgery as well as mainstream GP services."

John Harmeston, Chief Executive of Bridgnorth District Council, said, "Bridgnorth District Council is delighted that the scheme has now started. The town will benefit enormously from this important local health facility."

Councillor Iain Seivewright of Bridgnorth Town Council, commented, "The initiative for a new medical centre in Bridgnorth has been warmly welcomed by the Bridgnorth Town Council, which has been fully supportive of the project since its inception. The new medical centre will be a tremendous asset to our town and the surrounding area and we are absolutely delighted that construction work has commenced."

Chase Norton Construction is working to an original concept by Matrix Medical’s architect, West Hart Partnership. The new centre will be a four storey building of traditional construction in keeping with the rest of the town.

Simon Wilson, Development Manager at Matrix Medical, said: "We are delighted to see this project start on site. The whole project has been a team effort and exemplifies the best in public/private partnership.

"Particular thanks must go to Bridgnorth Hospital and Shropshire County PCT for providing the land and supporting the scheme; Bridgnorth District Council and Mercian Developments Ltd for allowing us access across the Smithfield car park for construction purposes, without which this development would not have been possible; Councillor Iain Seivewright for his support during the planning process; and finally to the patients of Bridgnorth Medical Centre for their vocal support during this project which we hope to repay by providing them with a flagship Primary Care Centre unrivalled across the region."