A MULTI-MILLION pound ‘one-stop shop’ for medical and social care services could be built on a credit-crunched building site.
A crane was this week erected at the former Delamere Street bus station location where the NHS wants to create a £10-12m ‘super clinic’ to replace four existing GP surgeries.
Cheshire West and Chester Council is also investigating whether to locate an office at the site where the public could access social care services.
The framework for the 400-space underground car park had already been installed when the original £34m project to deliver apartments, shops, cafes, restaurants and bars stalled two years ago.
A smaller retail element could feature in the new scheme which it is hoped could get under way in late 2012/13.
Alison Lee, chief operating officer for West Cheshire Health Consortium, said: “This is an exciting proposal which will bring a type of ‘one-stop shop’ to our local patients, enabling them to be seen for a number of elements of their care at one time and in one place by an integrated team.
“We look forward to working with local people to ensure this new centre meets all their needs.”
The proposal could prove controversial because among the GP practices with an option to move in are The Elms Medical Centre and Hoole Road Surgery which would be locating away from where existing patients live.
It could also house Northgate Village Surgery and Northgate Medical Centre which have complained of lack of space and access problems.
The centre, which would be built by Watkin Jones and rented back to users, may also feature services for children and young people, health improvement services, outpatient services, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
