New GP surgeries will open at the rate of one a week during the next 12 months as part of a £270 million transformation of NHS services outside of hospitals. The NHS plans to open around 60 new GP surgeries, health centres and clinics in 2006 under the NHS Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) programme.
Rather than simply replacing outdated facilities, the new buildings will offer many services traditionally only found in hospitals.
Health Minister Lord Warner said: “These are purpose-built facilities, where GP services are often on the same site as pharmacies and social services, and are not simple like-for-like replacements. The centres are more convenient for patients, particularly older patients and those with long-termconditions, as they offer more care closer to home. Many of our poorest areas benefit from the improved services and facilities the LIFT projects provide.”
