Today, I met with the St George’s NHS team to discuss progress on the delivery of this exciting new health centre. This project is critical to delivering integrated community healthcare in the future and reducing pressure on Queen’s Hospital.
Constituents may be aware that I have been campaigning for a new healthcare centre since my election in 2017. The Prime Minister announced an extra £1.8 billion capital fund for the NHS in 2019 and I was delighted when he pledged 20 hospital projects, of which St George’s health hub is one.
The East London Health & Care Partnership’s strategic objectives focus on meeting the current and future wellbeing, primary care, community and social care needs of the local population. Services that will move to the site include renal clinics, frailty, dermatology, minor ops, as well as there being space available for SEN groups.
The Director of Estates shared some projected images of what the site will look like, which are at the top of this article. I was delighted to hear that there will be community and voluntary management of the green spaces outside of the health centre, which will include old and new trees as well as a wetland area. The past year has shown us how it is easy take the green spaces around us for granted, and with the significant impact natural spaces have on mental health, I am pleased that the grounds around the centre will be incorporating this.
The St George’s site will help deliver the strategic objectives set out by the ELHCP and my team and I stand ready to assist with any assistance that we can provide when planning is submitted for approval later this spring. I am keen that this centre is built as swiftly as possible in order to alleviate pressures on Queen’s and improve integrated community healthcare in the borough.
