NEW doctors' surgeries in Wivenhoe and West Mersea are expected to be up and running by October 2010, it was announced yesterday.

Roddy Ashworth

NEW doctors' surgeries in Wivenhoe and West Mersea are expected to be up and running by October 2010, it was announced yesterday.

And now plans for the proposed health centres - paid for by the Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) initiative - are to go on public display so local people can make their views known about their design.

In Wivenhoe, a site adjacent to the fire station in Colchester Road, was chosen as the location of the new medical centre.

It will replace the existing GP practice building, which operates from a converted bungalow near The Cross and is now too small to handle the number of residents registered with it.

Tonia Parsons, LIFT Director, said: “The proposed two-storey medical centre will provide space to expand the current surgery for at least six GPs and will also provide facilities for medical students and trainee GPs.

“The new surgery will be substantially bigger than the existing building, with a range of modern clinical consultation rooms.

“There will also be a large patient education/seminar room for group activities and staff training.”

A public exhibition is being held at the William Loveless Hall in Wivenhoe High Street on December 17 and January 19 when sketch plans of the new centre will be on view and local health professionals will be on hand to discuss the plans.

Sketch plans will also be on display at Colchester Primary Care Centre in Turner Road, the Wivenhoe GP Practice and the Wivenhoe Town Council offices in High Street.

In West Mersea, the new health centre will incorporate the current GP practice in Kingsland Road and the community services currently provided by the Barfield Road clinic, including physiotherapy, podiatry and mother and baby sessions.

The Legion Field was identified as the most appropriate site for the new medical centre, an option supported by the practice GPs and the Mayor of West Mersea.

Ms Parsons said: “The new medical centre will not only allow us to enhance the range of services provided locally but will create space for other NHS, social care and voluntary services which might be commissioned at a later date.

“There will be on-site parking for patients and staff with dedicated disabled bays. The building will also be fully compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act.”

An exhibition will be held at the MICA Centre in High Street on January 7 and January 13 when sketch plans of the new centre will be on view and local health professionals will be available to talk to the public.

Sketch plans will also be on display at Colchester Primary Care Centre in Turner Road, the West Mersea Practice in and the Town Council offices in Melrose Road.

The public information and listening exercise runs from December 15 until March 8. Any comments can be left in boxes provided at the public events or can be sent to: The LIFT Team, NHS North East Essex, FREEPOST NAT 21857, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, CO15 4BR.

Additional information can be obtained by telephoning the LIFT team on 01206 286884 or by visiting www.northeastessex.nhs.uk