Building Better Health begins Ealing healthcare transformation
January 14th, 2009
Building Better Health – the private sector property development partner for three London NHS LIFT ventures – has started work on Jubilee Gardens Primary Care Centre and Library, Ealing’s most ambitious healthcare project to date under NHS LIFT. It is a scheme that will replace tired old facilities, invigorating the community with a fresh approach to healthcare.
Planning approval was obtained in December 2007, with Financial Close reached in September of this year. Due for completion in early 2010, the project will be delivered by Building Better Health, working in partnership with Ealing Primary Care Trust. The partnership brings together Building Better Health's property developer experience and their impressive supply chain - a team with a proven track record of creating some of London's leading new healthcare facilities - with Ealing Primary Care Trust's desire to deliver first class services and facilities to the community.
The original health centre and library buildings, built in the 1930s on either side of Jubilee Gardens, had become outdated and unable to offer Ealing residents the excellent standards of healthcare now achievable under the LIFT scheme, and unsuitable for modern library functions.
The new £4.9million, 2,100m2 scheme will integrate the health centre and library, and is being built for Ealing Primary Care Trust on the larger Council-owned library site, which has now been cleared with demolition of the library building.
Highlighting the benefits of a common sense approach to healthcare delivery, the modern centre will give residents access to multiple integrated resources under one roof, eliminating unnecessary and time-consuming referrals.
Once complete, it will provide accommodation for three local doctors' group practices as well as much needed neighbourhood treatment and specialist facilities, including audiology. The centre will also act as base for community nursing.
Designed by partner architect Penoyre & Prasad and being constructed by Willmott Dixon, the project will include a well-lit double height public foyer to provide health information and leading to a community meeting space. The new branch library will also be much more attractive to all generations, providing valuable community resources in the form of PC terminals, media loans and books.
Representing the next stage in a 25 year programme of healthcare development, the two schemes will provide Ealing residents with modern facilities of the highest quality.
"Delivering improved healthcare services from quality, welcoming facilities at the heart of our community is a key strategy for the PCT," commented David Williams, Director of Services, Ealing PCT. "We are delighted to be working in partnership with Building Better Health on these landmark developments."
Through the strength of its partnership, and premiership procurement chain,
Building Better Health has paved the way for design-oriented health centre schemes of the future. Its aim is to meet the demands of integrated healthcare provision - whilst encompassing architecturally inspiring design features that benefit both users and the local community.
Chief Executive at Building Better Health, Sylvie Pierce, said, "Jubilee Gardens is a perfect example of how the public and private sectors can work in harmony to deliver high quality facilities that are a real asset to the community.
"Together, we are committed to providing high quality schemes that will revitalise the area and highlight the benefits of effective partnering."
