After 10 years of detailed planning, building work commenced on the new much awaited Frome Health Centre, being erected adjacent to the new Community Hospital at Fromefield on Tuesday 26th July.
Senior partner at the Frome Medical Practice, Dr Tina Merry said, “This is a truly wonderful moment for everyone that lives in Frome. Right here in our own town we will have one of the best and most innovative of health centres in the whole country.”
The £10.5m project will house all of the current surgeries in the town, with the exception of the Lock’s Hill surgery, which will remain. In addition to the medical teams, the building will also house an optician, a pharmacy and a café. Other services are also planned to follow.
Dr Merry added, “Next door to the Community Hospital, Frome is going to have a medical facility that is going to be the envy of every other town. Not only will the new building be a focus for GP and nurse training, but it is also hoped that once everything is fully operational, then the centre will be able to carry out minor operations and other treatment instead of patients having to travel to the RUH in Bath.”
For practice manager Mike Whitburn, the new health centre will be far more than a place providing excellent quality of medical care and treatment. He said, “At the core of the new health centre will be the philosophy of healthy living. Right from the outset, the new centre will be encouraging and promoting a healthy lifestyle agenda.
“Our members of staff will have a gym and shower facilities so that cycling to work should not be a problem. For our patients, they will have an improved bus timetable and on-site access to healthy living and exercise advice services. We are also looking ahead to the future, with electric car points being made available to patients.”
Dr Merry said, “Above all else, the new health centre will be about and for the people that live and work in Frome and the surrounding area. Throughout the whole planning process, we have consulted with and listened to what our patients want. We have also involved the local community in the project, such as Frome Community College students providing artwork for the hoardings on the site.
“Everyone should be extremely proud that in these somewhat uncertain times, our local community, politicians and planners have all been determined to see this exciting new project actually happen. This is a huge vote of confidence for Frome and its surrounding area.”
Interserve Construction Limited have been appointed as the building contractors. The building is scheduled to be open in September 2012.
