We are delighted to announce that planning consent has been given to Jesus College and the Partners of King Edward Street, 27 Beaumont Street and 28 Beaumont Street Surgeries for work to commence on the integration of a state-of-the-art NHS Primary Care Centre in the basement of the new Northgate development in the centre of Oxford.
The new medical centre will house the three existing practices under one roof, and aims to improve primary care access and other healthcare services for 20,000 patients in purpose-built facilities. The investment in centrally-located services will also help to reduce health inequalities in the city’s Carfax Ward, one of the most health-deprived in England, providing much-needed healthcare capacity for the ward’s 6500 residents.
A CGI view along Market Street by MICA Architects
Dr Matt Easdale (GP at 28 Beaumont St practice) said, “The patients and staff of all three practices face a bright future. By co-locating and sharing some administrative space we gain much more clinical space, which means we can offer new services and save our patients from unnecessary trips to hospital”.
Plans include 27 consulting and treatment rooms and a minor operations suite plus space for mental health workers, physiotherapists, paramedics and clinical pharmacists. Access will be via Market Street. The centre will also provide opportunities for extended opening for weekday and weekend appointments for the local community and those who require urgent medical care.
Dr David McCartney (GP at 27 Beaumont St practice) said, “The partners for all three practices are really excited at the prospect of finally realising their aim to offer primary care from modern, well-appointed facilities. Working closely with Jesus College is an amazing opportunity to deliver this brand new state-of-the-art health centre. We will be providing regular updates for patients on our practice websites”.
Dr MaryKate Kirkaldy (GP at King Edward St) added, “This scheme provides a solution that both safeguards and significantly enhances the provision of primary care for the local community now and into the future. Without it there was a serious risk that we might have closed”.
The medical centre is scheduled to open at the end of 2021, and forms part of an ambitious plan for this historic area of the city centre. The new Northgate will provide the College with stunning new teaching facilities, indoor and outdoor convening spaces, Digital Hub, postgraduate accommodation, a café and public exhibition space. Enhanced retail spaces on the Cornmarket Street side will take up much of the ground and first floors