Riverside Medical Practice set to move to new state-of-the art facility
Riverside Medical Practice in Shrewsbury has unveiled plans to move to a new state-of-the-art facility in the town centre.
The new surgery, which has been earmarked to be built at the Raven Meadows site in Shrewsbury town centre, will offer enhanced services in a new, modern facility.
The practice has been working with Matrix Medical, Shropshire CCG, Shropshire Council, staff and patients to find a suitable location for the new facility.
Riverside Medical Practice has been based at its existing premises since 1987 and a need for a new, bigger facility has been identified due to the growing town centre population. The proposed new facility is less than 200 metres away from Riverside’s current location and will include provision for an on-site pharmacy and improved disabled access.
Riverside already works with a number of organisations, such as Sure Start, Age UK and many others to provide additional support to patients. The practice hopes to extend these services from the new building.
A full planning application will be submitted and considered by Shropshire Council.
Tracy Willocks, Practice Manager for Riverside Medical Practice said:
“We are so pleased to unveil these plans for a new development in the town centre of Shrewsbury. Our patients and staff have waited for many years for this project to come to fruition and now we are at a really exciting stage where we can move forward with the plans for our new practice and continue to deliver excellent patient care.
"Our patients and staff have been working so hard for this. When we heard the news we struggled to believe it after so many false dawns. We are grateful particularly to our Patient Support Group and to Matrix Medical, who will be developing the new surgery, and to Shropshire CCG who have approved this.”
Dr Sarah Harwood, GP Partner at Riverside Medical Practice said:
"We're delighted to at last see the light at the end of the tunnel, with the confirmation that we have full funding for the new premises our patients need. These new premises will secure the future of Primary Care in the town centre, with a building that will enable us to grow and develop our services for the decades ahead.
Colin Pope, Chair of Riverside’s Patient Participation Group said:
"The patients at Riverside were anxious that this was never going to happen, but our events such as ‘Hands Around the Surgery’ and the support of local elected politicians has kept the issue alive.
"This news marks the beginning of an exciting journey for us all and we look forward to working with the doctors and staff at Riverside on this new building."
Dr Julian Povey, Chair of Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group said:
“These proposals aim to provide patients with improved access to services in a modern, purpose built facility.
“We are committed to working with Riverside Medical Practice and its GPs to help patients get the best access to health advice. These plans offer patients greater flexibility and easier access to health care and appointments, and will also bring a number of health services under one roof."
