Moves to build the most modern doctors’ surgery and medical centre in King’s Lynn have taken a major step forward as St James Medical Practice has submitted a detailed planning application to move away from County Court Road, its home for some 50 years, to a purpose-built ÂŁ5m centre to the northern part of Edward Benefer Way.
the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk gives its approval, work would start later this year and be completed by November 2022.
Doctors are delighted at what benefits the surgery and health care and wellbeing hub will bring.
Patients and staff will enjoy:
- More consulting rooms to cater for growing patient numbers
- New and expanded range of clinical services
- Free parking for more than 90 vehicles
- State-of-the-art endoscopy and other examination facilities
- Expanded training provision to help attract and retain the staff of the future
- Better and more pleasant environment for staff and patients alike.Â
The practice has carried out extensive consultations with patients, staff, councillors and other interested parties.Â
St James Practice manager Kathy Foley commented: “Our current surgery is not fit for purpose due to its restricted size and layout. There have been issues with drainage and it is draughty and damp.” She continued “It is not suitable for our present and future needs. She added “We are striving to provide the best possible care for our patients, and we need a modern fit-for-purpose building where our staff can train and work and offer a new and expanded range of clinical services. Experience shows us people who train and qualify in Norfolk are more likely to remain.Â
The Practice, which has given many thousands of Covid vaccinations in recent months, has the full backing of its Patient Participation Group.Â
Its chairman Ian Gutteridge said: “Members understand the shortcomings of the present building and recognise the need for a high-quality facility to expand primary care services. It will bring benefits in terms of the breadth of services in one convenient, modern location.”
He said the Practice was aware that some help would be needed for some patients to get to the new surgery, at the South Wootton end of the Northern Bypass. Every effort will be made to make sure these patients would be supported. The Practice is already planning to talk to potential additional transport providers. Â
Mr Gutteridge added: “This development is long overdue, and we support the practice team and its professional advisers who are making this happen.”
The Practice has closely examined 16 other potential sites nearer to the centre of Lynn but all were unsuitable.Â