Local GPs Dr Peter Allamby and Dr Miles Davidson, who currently work from single-storey premises in Gomersall Lane, this week announced the start of work on the Stubley Medical Centre in Stubley Drive.

Yet the project was hanging by a thread in mid-June when, after four years of work, four banks who had been keen to provide the financial backing were suddenly unable to provide finance at a rate that would not sink the business plan.

Fortunately the doctors developed a positive relationship with Handelsbanken's Sheffield office, who have provided the funding.

Dr Allamby said: "It's a relief and very exciting to see the project taking off after four years of hard work – it will also be nice, after committing so much of our time to this, for both of us to get back to full time doctoring…''

The centre is scheduled to open in July next year.

Dr Davidson said: "This will give us the chance to offer our traditional family practice to patients from greatly improved premises, as well as giving us the opportunity to offer new services.

"It's not going to be a 'polyclinic', though. We're keen for this building to enhance the best core elements of traditional general practice – such as being able to see the doctor who knows you and your family best and being given the time and facilities your condition and treatment requires.''

The complex will also accommodate Derbyshire Primary Care Trust staff and district nurse and health visitor teams. A second building is designed for health-related use, such as a pharmacy, physiotherapy, chiropody or dental treatment.

The development has been designed by James Totty Partnership Architects, Sheffield, is being constructed by Wildgoose Construction Ltd of Ashover, and project managed by Brunswick IS Ltd of Sheffield.

The centre is at the head of the old Gosforth School site, the rest of which is currently being developed into the Cavendish Views housing estate by Persimmon Homes.



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