The new primary care centre is being developed by Matrix Medical on behalf of Dr Paton and South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, and is due for completion in December this year. The new 7,500 sq. ft. (700 sq. m). building will enable the practice to offer a full range of clinical services, including minor surgery and phlebotomy. It will also accommodate community staff, including district nurses, health visitors and midwives 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 Stewart Paton said, "I am delighted that we are now making a start on this wonderful new facility for Inkberrow and the surrounding villages. It is over 9 years since we first started this project and it has been a long and very difficult battle. I am grateful to the landowners, the District Councillor Audrey Steel, and South Worcestershire PCT for all the hard work they have put in to make this possible.

I have to say that there have been many occasions, even recently, when I thought that the village and the area was going to lose the surgery. There are still battles to be fought and won to ensure that the centre is equipped, viable and successful for the whole of our rural community."

Nigel Higenbottam, Assistant Director of Primary Care at South Worcestershire PCT, said: "The Primary Care Trust is very pleased that plans to build a new surgery are now progressing. The new premises will be designed to incorporate the present and future needs of Primary Care to ensure services are provided to patients. This will be an excellent service for patients in the Inkberrow area who will be able to access phlebotomy, community nursing, minor surgery as well as mainstream GP services."

Jack Hegarty, Managing Director of Wychavon District Council, said, "Wychavon District Council is delighted that the scheme has now started. The village will benefit enormously from this important local health facility."

Chairman of Inkberrow Parish Council, Councillor Richard Hocknell, commented, "The initiative for a new medical centre in Inkberrow has been warmly welcomed by the Inkberrow Parish Council, which has been fully supportive of the project since its inception. Councillor Audrey Steel, also a District Councillor for Wychavon, has kept the Parish Council regularly informed on progress and despite inevitable setbacks along the way, she has never deviated in her commitment to seeing the project brought to fruition. The new medical centre will be a tremendous asset to our village and the surrounding area and we are absolutely delighted that, at long last, construction work has commenced. The new centre will be an asset to Inkberrow for many years to come."

Chase Norton Construction Ltd has already begun work to create the new Medical Centre working to an original concept by Matrix Medical’s architects, Bournville Architects. The new centre will be a two storey building of traditional construction in keeping with the rest of the village.

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."