A £15million healthy living centre will be opening in Chatham next year.
NHS Kent and Medway and Medway Council have worked in partnership on proposals to develop a healthy living centre at the Pentagon Shopping Centre and create a hub for patients to access a greater range of services than those available in GP practices, quickly and conveniently.
Both organisations are contributing to the scheme, with £13.4million being the NHS contribution. Medway Council will lead on refurbishing work, transforming the first floor of the shopping centre into modern, flexible spaces, which can host a variety of clinics.
Right care, right place
Paul Bentley, NHS Kent and Medway Chief Executive, said: “This is outstanding news for the people we serve in the Chatham area. We know more needs to be done in parts of Medway to help improve people’s health and wellbeing and this healthy living centre will help people access the right care, in the right place.
“With good transport links and a central location, the centre will also have room to expand over time to offer more services for local people meaning we can join up services, to provide care around people’s individual needs.”
Medway was prioritised for a healthy living centre because it has some of the highest levels of deprivation in the UK, life expectancy is significantly worse than the England average, and levels of obesity and premature death from heart disease are higher than the national average.
Demand for GP practice services is expected to increase over the next five years, due to an ageing and more medically complex population, coupled with planned housing developments.
Medway Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Public Health Teresa Murray, said: “We are delighted that we are one step closer to opening a first-class health facility in Chatham town centre, providing high-quality care in an easy to access location.
“I am honoured to confirm that the new centre is being named after our late Director of Public Health, James Williams. James was an inspirational figure and huge driving force behind improving health outcomes across Medway, as well as addressing health inequalities across the south east.
“The James Williams Healthy Living Centre will stand as a fitting tribute to his work and aspirations, and is a big step towards helping to reduce health inequality and improving the health and wellbeing of residents in Medway. I look forward to seeing this exciting project start to take shape over the next year.”
The centre will be managed by Medway Community Healthcare.
Christina Caller, Associate Director Infrastructure and Procurement at Medway Community Healthcare (MCH), said: "We are delighted that this new Healthy Living Centre can now move forward - providing a much needed, community-based facility in Chatham.
“As a local provider of community healthcare services, and the organisation responsible for managing the centre going forward, we look forward to working with colleagues across Medway to ensure local people can receive the right care in the right place, at the right time.”
Listening to people
The healthy living centre comes following engagement with local communities.
In 2017, the NHS worked in partnership with community and voluntary sector organisations to involve people in Chatham in the initial plans.
More than 150 local people took part in design discussions and interviews about what the healthy living centre should include and how it should look and feel.
Bryant Street Medical Centre and Maritime Health Partnership are planning to move into the building. Maritime currently run a surgery on the ground floor, which will move upstairs next year. Bryant Street will close its current practice when it moves into the state-of-the-art facility around the same time.
Medway Council has appointed Ellandi as development manager to lead the team; contractor partner Bauvill; architecture firm LSI Architects; Structural & MEP consultants Ingleton Wood and Black Cat as project managers.
Brooke Tahau, Director of Development at Ellandi, said: “The development of the James Williams Healthy Living Centre is a great testament to our dedication to enhancing community health. There is a growing imperative to bring healthcare back to the community, and this centre embodies our commitment to providing accessible, comprehensive care in the heart of centres. By working together with the NHS and Medway Council, we are excited to create a space that not only meets the immediate needs of local residents but also adapts to future healthcare demands.”
