Plans for new medical centre given funding boost

A Kent council has agreed to help fund the construction of a new medical centre to replace three surgeries that are not able to meet further demand.

Dartford Borough Council (DBC) signed off on allocating £3.6m of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding to support the delivery of a new medical centre at Steele Avenue, Greenhithe.

The Ivy Bower, Greenhithe and Elmdene surgeries will be replaced by the new facility, which will include 14 consulting rooms, four treatment rooms and a minor surgery unit.

NHS Kent & Medway integrated care board (ICB) will lead in the delivery of the project, which will cost an estimated £8.2m.

Discussions regarding a new medical centre for this area have taken place with NHS Kent & Medway for some time, with the need first identified as far back as 2017.

In agreeing to allocate the CIL funding, DBC's cabinet concluded that the project was an "important step in the right direction to deliver improved medical services to residents".

The clinical room capacity will accommodate an estimated 150,000 appointments per year during core practice hours.

Construction is to be carried out by Mayfair Group Investment Ltd, which will provide the remaining funding.

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