A key milestone has been marked in the construction of a brand-new health centre in Wallsend as the building reaches its peak.
Health partners, representatives from Assura and the project team joined Esh Construction on site to celebrate the latest progress in the £9.5 million development.
The three-storey steel structure and concrete roof deck is now complete, with over 112 tonnes of hot rolled steel used for the building’s frame.
Work on the scheme has been forging ahead since last year when Esh Construction commenced work on the site – next to the Forum Shopping Centre – working alongside the national primary care premises specialist, Assura.
Stuart Leslie, Divisional Director at Esh Construction, said: “This is the first development Esh will deliver in partnership with Assura, and we are pleased to celebrate this key milestone with all health partners. The next phase will see the internal fit out commence which will include the construction of partitions and installation of services, while externally the masonry work will get underway.”
Named Hadrian Health Centre, the premises is being built to modern, environmentally friendly, state-of-the-art specifications. Solar photo voltaic (PV) panels will be installed on the roof to capture energy for the all-electric facility – limiting electricity required from the grid and reducing carbon footprint.
The building will become home to Park Road Medical Practice and Portugal Place Health Centre, as well as a range of community health services for more than 20,000 patients, while Assura will work as the practices’ long-term premises partner.
Andrew Cooper, Senior Development Manager at Assura, said: “It’s always a special milestone to reach a building’s highest point, and it’s great that many of those people responsible for this fantastic facility are here to share it today. Later this year, the building will be opening its doors, adding new capacity for the NHS and supporting delivery of healthcare services in a state-of-the-art environment.”
Health partners in the project include the two GP practices, NHS North Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Community Services.
Dr Kerry Burnett, GP from Park Road Medical Practice, said: “It’s great to reach this significant milestone in the development of Hadrian Health Centre. It has been a real team effort to get to this point on such an important project which will benefit so many patients and their families.
“Bringing together various NHS services into one location will make it easier for the local community to access the support and treatment they need. We’re really excited to see the progress being made and are looking forward to welcoming our patients with pride when it has been completed.”
Esh Construction is working in partnership with ARP Consulting, West Hart Partnership and Identity Consult to deliver the development which is expected to complete in Summer 2022.
This is the first development Esh will deliver in partnership with Assura, and we are pleased to celebrate this key milestone with all health partners. The next phase will see the internal fit out commence which will include the construction of partitions and installation of services, while externally the masonry work will get underway.”
