Major update on Thornbury Health Centre project

NHS leaders have launched a survey revealing initial designs for the proposed Thornbury Hospital development located off Eastland Road - which closed in 2019.

The Department of Health and Social Care has offered £14.4 million in funding
or the long-awaited scheme.

According to the plans, a new two-storey centre would be built and become a new home for existing GP surgeries Severn View Family Practice and Streamside Surgery.

Meanwhile, there would also be consulting rooms for health services delivered by Sirona Care and Health.

The proposed project includes 24 consulting rooms, three treatment rooms, two blood sample rooms, and a virtual consultation room for the two surgeries.

NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board says the earliest move in date would be autumn 2026.

However, there is not expected to be an increase in patient appointments available within the new centre.

It is hoped a planning application will be submitted in autumn or winter 2024.

Meanwhile, officials say they plan to submit their final business plan to the government in March 2025.

This week, health bosses have unveiled designs for the ground floor, first floor and the site’s parking and access plans.

Other proposals include a joint reception, a waiting area plus WC/ baby changing facilities as well as a patient garden, a courtyard and wildflower meadows.

In addition, an ambulance pick up zone would be created and there
would also be 65 parking spaces including six accessible spaces.

Elsewhere, on the same site, South Gloucestershire Council is developing its plans to create an extra care housing scheme.

It is understood proposals involve building 75 extra care apartments for the elderly plus support services.

Pictures of the initial plans for Thornbury Health Centre (Image: Roberts Limbrick / South Gloucestershire Council)

Ground floor plan for the proposed Thornbury Health Centre (Image: Roberts Limbrick / South Gloucestershire Council)

First floor plan (Image: Roberts Limbrick / South Gloucestershire Council)

Brand-new health centre for Thornbury

Local ICB chief executive Shane Devlin said: “We are pleased to be working closely with SGC to bring forward the development of a brand-new health centre for Thornbury, which will form a key part of the regeneration of this site.

“Once finished, the health centre will provide both practices with the space and facilities needed to enable them to continue to deliver outstanding care for many years to come.”

"People have been waiting a long time"

Cllr Adam Monk SGC cabinet member for corporate resources said: “I encourage residents to come along and see the plans, which we hope will deliver new and fit-for-purpose primary care facilities for them.

"We appreciate that the people of Thornbury have been waiting a long time for new facilities.

 “We are pleased to be working in partnership with the ICB to take forward this work to design the new GP surgery buildings. 

“They will complement the extra care housing facilities we hope to deliver on the rest of the site. 

“Combined, these programmes will bring the site back into use for benefit of the health and wellbeing of the town.”

Practices' welcome proposals 

In a joint statement, Stephanie Celso, practice manager at Streamside Surgery, and Susan Bryan, practice manager at Severn View Family Practice, said: “We are really excited to be progressing towards the development a state-of-the-art health centre for our patients.

“We encourage all our patients and local population with interest in the health centre to take some time to view the proposals and find out more about what is being planned.”

MP welcomes update 

Welcoming the news, Claire Young MP said: “In my first week in Parliament, I wrote to the health secretary and asked him for assurances that the promised funding for this new health centre would be honoured.

"The local community have put together a strong case for it and I know how much work has gone in to ensuring the project has now reached the stage where the public can have their say.

"I will be urging the health secretary to work with the people of Thornbury and local partners to deliver the new facility and ensure everyone can get the care they need."

SGC leader Maggie Tyrrell said: "SGC and the ICB have really pulled together to meet the deadline to apply for this funding, which gives us the best chance possible of securing this long-awaited health centre.

"The current Thornbury health centre is no longer fit for purpose, that's why we need to see new funding delivered to provide the modern facilities that the growing population of Thornbury deserve.”

A drop-in information event about the project is due to take place between 3pm and 7pm today, Thursday, August 29 at St Mary’s Hall, Eastbury Road.

For more information about the project email consultation@southglos.gov.uk or see here - rb.gy/jzjkti