| Project: 5 GP Practice / Minor Surgery Suite / Nurse Treatment Rooms / Dispensary Size: 850 sq metres Commenced on-site: December 2006 Completed: October 2007 |
GPI Project Director: William Sheardown, Director South East Architectural Design: Weston Architects Limited Contractor: Farnrise Construction Limited Employers Agent & CDM Coordinator: Chawton Hill Associates Ltd |
| The Postern Gate Practice in Rye found themselves in a situation familiar to many GP Practices across the country. They wanted to offer a wider range of services to modern standards to their patients but chronic lack of space and severe access issues meant their premises could not meet these aspirations. Something had to change. The Practice approached a number of specialist developers before selecting GPI to work with them to deliver the most appropriate property solutions with minimum financial risk or burden. GPI worked closely with both the Practice and PCT assessing a number of local site opportunities; the public were also engaged in the process. The selected option is adjacent to an existing care home.  With the site identified, our hand-picked professional team, with its local experience, worked closely with the GPs and their staff to design a building which would best fulfil their patient care ambitions. This team approach also involved the PCT, their infection control advisors, the extensive NHS design guidance as well as the District Valuer to ensure best “Value for Money”. Planning consent was then achieved along with agreement for public highway works providing safer access to the site. The legal documents were swiftly agreed and construction of the new surgery commenced in December 2006. At the same time GPI were able to assist the Practice with the disposal of their existing building by introducing them to an interested party and helping agree terms which allowed certainty over value, but provided timing flexibility by tying it into completion of the new building. The Practice now enjoy operating from a high spec, purpose built facility; not only are they now able to offer a healing environment and level of care which they feel their patients deserve but they are providing unexpected additional services to the PCT. The development phase which included a programme of regular communication has built a strong relationship between GPI and the Postern Gate Practice which continues with our dedicated Facilities Management team operating a maintenance programme and always on hand to ensure that the building continues to perform and allow the practice to deliver care to modern standards both today and into the future. |
