This article was originally published on Somerset Live.
A new medical practice serving 12,000 patients has opened in Weston-super-Mare. The state of the art 168 Parklands Medical Centre on the Parklands Village Development was officially opened by Weston MP John Penrose
The new practice will be run by 168 Medical Group and Winscombe and Banwell Family Practice, which are both part of the Pier Health Group of practices. 168 Medical Group executive partner and GP Dr John Heather, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have this new facility. I’m sure our patients will love it.
“During the next few weeks we will start to have clinics at the new practice and we plan to be fully open at the beginning of January.” The new fully accessible facility offers 12 consulting rooms, four treatment rooms, two separate waiting areas and staff facilities.
The building has been designed with sustainability in mind with solar panels on the roof, high quality insulation and underfloor heating throughout to keep heating costs to a minimum. It has 61 parking spaces, including disabled parking, as well as car charging points that the practice hopes to make available for the local community to use.
The Intergrated Care Board ( ICB) has been working in partnership with North Somerset Council to ensure the practice meets the needs of the local population. Part of the funding for the practice was secured from Section 106 contributions negotiated by North Somerset Council as part of the planning process for housing and employment development on sites around Parklands Village.
The council also took on property negotiations and construction of the practice on behalf of the Integrated Care Board (ICB). The two-storey, 1,000 square metre facility will provide GP services for around 12,000 patients.
In addition, Winscombe and Banwell Family Practice will use the surgery to support their patients in the local community. Weston MP John Penrose said: “Weston is a growing town, so it’s vital our local health services keep up.
“This new medical centre will help to cut waiting times by providing thousands more appointments for local families each year.”