Work due to start on new £8.5m health centre for patients
A £8.5 million health centre will be built in Stourbridge to serve 26,000 patients after a deal allowing work to start at a grade II listed former foundry.
The former Foster, Rastrick and Co foundry, Lowndes Road, Wollaston, will become a 30,000 sq ft centre with space for up to 10 GPs.
Approval for plans was given two years ago. A contract to finance it has been finalised, with work due to start next week after a deal between Worcester Street Medical Practice and developer Primary Health Properties PLC, which is providing funding.
A ceremonial sod-cutting takes place next Friday to mark the start of 18 months of buildingt. Primary Health Properties will lease the centre on a 25-year contract to the GP practice when building is complete.
Services will include a pharmacy and a community health staff base. Dr Carol Griffiths, Executive Partner at the Worcester Street practice, said it was expected to open early in 2014.
"The partners are very excited that this scheme has come to fruition and are planning the new services they will be able to provide in the building which they will be discussing with patients as the build progresses," she said.
Partners have yet to decide on a name but say it will reflect the site's history.
