A significant step forward has been made to deliver a bigger, better GP surgery to serve the Hythe and Pooley Green areas of Egham.
This is because Runnymede Borough Council has decided to sell one of its halls for healthcare use.
The Council’s Hythe Centre in Thorpe Road is due become the new home for the Hythe Medical Practice, with contracts likely to be exchanged by the end of the year.
The practice, which has around 7,600 patients, has been based in temporary buildings next to the centre for 15 years. Once the sale completes, a complete refit of the building to make it suitable for primary, secondary and community health services would be undertaken before it is opened for appointments.
A spokesperson for Runnymede Borough Council said: “We’re pleased to be making available this building so people in Egham can have a much-improved medical centre and health care facility.
“The Council believes the potential to bring better health care facilities to people’s doorsteps in Egham Hythe and Pooley Green outweighs the Hythe Centre’s value as a hall for hire.
“We’re focussed on creating an environment which supports the health and wellbeing of local people. In this case we can do that by providing the space for an up-to-date medical practice where patients feel confident of great care and medical staff can work at their best in modern conditions.”
The Council owns another community hall in Chertsey, as well as the Manor Farm Day Centre in Egham which can also be available for community use. People with bookings at the Hythe Centre are being assisted to relocate them.
The Hythe Centre was declared as surplus to operational requirements in June. Council staff have been in detailed discussions with a specialist health and care developer called Prime to agree arrangements for the future of the building, which are now reaching the final stages.
The new healthcare facility would overall be about four times the size of the current surgery.
The inside of the building would be completely refurbished to create a modern, high quality and fit for purpose medical practice.
There would be eight consulting and clinical rooms designed to offer an ideal patient experience. Office and welfare space for staff will also be included.
A community and patients’ information event will be taking place from 2.30pm - 6.30pm at the Hythe Centre on Wednesday 13 August.
Plans on show will demonstrate the benefits that could be offered by redeveloping the hall to become the new home of the medical practice. Proposed works aim to deliver a new premises which is fit for purpose and built to last, ensuring the delivery of healthcare close to the community who rely on it.
Important information
The Hythe Playing Field will not be included in the sale of the Hythe Centre.
Part of the Hythe Cente car park will be available for GP patients, and some spaces will be allocated for the continued use of the playing fields. In reality this is similar to the current situation. As there will no longer be ongoing community activities and clubs meeting at the centre, pressure on the car park is expected to reduce.
No new bookings for the Hythe Centre will be processed after 1 October.
The sale of the building for health care use is subject to permission being granted for change of use by Runnymede Borough Council’s Planning Committee. The Committee operates separately from the Council team involved in the sale process.
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