Work on new Emsworth GP surgery continues as part of £3.5m scheme

NEW windows, a new roof, two new extensions and plastering from floor to ceiling are just some of the work that has been done to convert a former hospital into a new GP surgery.

By Millie Salkeld

Published 11th Nov 2020, 07:00 BST

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Contractors Mountjoy have been transforming the former Victoria Cottage Hospital into a new GP surgery for Emsworth after GPs, staff and patients struggled to cope on their cramped existing site over the road in North Street.

Campaigners spent months trying to secure the former hospital site for the new surgery after

The hospital building was put up for sale in July 2018, after it was decommissioned and closed in April 2013, and campaigners managed to fight to secure the site for the new surgery, which is hoped to be completed in March 2021 as part of a £3.5m scheme.

Work is well under way to relocate Emsworth Surgery to a new home in the town centre. Screen capture of work from NHS West Hampshire CCG video.

Work is well under way to relocate Emsworth Surgery to a new home in the town centre. Screen capture of work from NHS West Hampshire CCG video.

Dr Abu Chinwala, a partner at Emsworth Surgery, said: ‘We’ve had such a long and at times frustrating wait for a new home. But we are counting the days now.

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‘This is good news for us as GPs and every member of our staff, who just want to be able to offer our patients the best possible primary care services and facilities that we can. But most importantly it’s great news for our patients.

‘The practice had 2,000 patients when we opened. We have 13,000 now. We just could not have coped much longer on our existing site.’

Emsworth Surgery CGI by Studio Four Architects

Emsworth Surgery CGI by Studio Four Architects

Builders have demolished a number of single-storey outbuildings to make way for a new rear single-storey extension to the main building and the team has also installed a new lift shaft.

Sara Tiller, managing director of NHS South East Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: ‘It’s fantastic to see a vision turn into reality.

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‘It’s a win/win situation – great news for all those people who campaigned so strongly to keep the surgery in the heart of their community; great news for the GPs who wanted to provide modern and accessible premises with space to expand; and great news for patients.’

Work is well under way to relocate Emsworth Surgery to a new home in the town centre. Screen capture of work from NHS West Hampshire CCG video.

Work is well under way to relocate Emsworth Surgery to a new home in the town centre. Screen capture of work from NHS West Hampshire CCG video.

Adam Shepheard, principal construction manager for NHS Property Services added: ‘The community will now benefit from a modern, fit-for-purpose GP surgery that serves the healthcare needs for patients and a better working environment for staff.’

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