Construction on a major £670,000 project to extend and improve facilities at a west Suffolk health centre will start next week.

East Anglian Daily Times: Work to expand Woolpit Health Centre starts next week. Picture: NHS SUFFOLKWork to expand Woolpit Health Centre starts next week. Picture: NHS SUFFOLK (Image: Archant)

The work at Woolpit Health Centre will be carried out in two phases over seven months and will enable the centre to offer additional services as well as help meet the increasing demand for primary care.

It is estimated the local population will increase by 18,000 over the next five years – with an estimated 2,500 homes set to be built.

The first phase of the project will see a disused internal courtyard converted into a new administration hub and an extended waiting room.

This will free up space for three new treatment rooms and ventilation turrets will also be installed to keep the building cool in summer.

East Anglian Daily Times: Work to expand Woolpit Health Centre starts next week. Picture: NHS SUFFOLKWork to expand Woolpit Health Centre starts next week. Picture: NHS SUFFOLK (Image: Archant)

A dedicated nursing suite will be built as part of the second phase, and the suite will offer facilities for an enhanced urgent care and minor injuries service for the centre’s patients – reducing the pressure on A&E.

A new clinic dealing with long-term conditions will support the frail and elderly to help them remain in their home for longer and reduce the need for hospital admissions.

The centre’s waiting room will also be re-modelled to create a more pleasant environment for patients.

The health centre will continue to offer its full range of primary care services while the work is taking place.

The cost of the work is around £670,000, with the GP partners contributing approximately £250,000 and the rest funded by NHS England.

Dr William Ridsdill Smith, a GP partner at the centre who is leading the project, said: “Woolpit Health Centre needs to expand in order to address the increasing demand for services.

“This is a major project that will certainly deliver long-term benefits for the local population.

“The extra space will enable us to offer new services that support the treatment and care of people in the community. It will also give us the much needed room so that we can employ additional clinicians to deliver our services as well as deliver more training to staff.

“We value our patients’ support during this time and would encourage anyone who has any questions to contact the practice.”

The work will commence on February 26 and is being carried out by Seamans Building and architects are Haysom Ward Miller.