St Luke’s goes from strength to strength
Published Monday 21st June 10 in Council - news and information releases news
A joint venture led by Southend Borough Council in partnership with St Luke’s Healthy Living Centre Community Interest Company (CIC) and NHS South East Essex to develop a new healthy living centre in
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the St. Luke's area of Southend is set to continue as a phased development.
While the original vision remains the same, a new phased approach to the St. Luke's Healthy Living Centre will deliver a campus-style layout, as opposed to a single building unit.
The initial phase will see a multitude of community services to help members of the local community improve their health and wellbeing being introduced as early as next year.
Services expected to be included in phase one of the development include a multi function room for training, meetings and physical activities, several business incubation units with on hand advice from a Community Business & Enterprise Adviser, meeting rooms and space for other charities and support agencies to meet local people as well as a refreshments area.
NHS services not currently delivered in the St Luke's area such as phlebotomy and children's services, are also planned for phase one.
Phase two will see the St. Luke's Healthy Living Centre develop further and subject to planning permission, include a permanent home for St Luke's GP practice and walk-in centre.
Shazia Ullah, Head of Policy & Improvement at Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, said: "The new phased development will enable us to create a Healthy Living Centre and get valuable community services up and running next summer.
"The original proposal had to be revisited in light of increasing financial pressures faced by all partners. I am pleased to say that we are able to progress with this fantastic project that will deliver much needed services in St Luke's."
Andrew Pike, Chief Executive for NHS South East Essex, said: "NHS South East Essex is still committed to the development of permanent GP premises for the St Luke's walk in centre in partnership with Southend Borough Council and the St. Luke's Healthy Living Centre CIC.
"We are confident that the new phased plans offer better value for money whilst supporting our original intentions to use the Healthy Living Centre to deliver new NHS health and a new permanent GP premises to the St Luke's area."
For more information about this media release please call the Media and Communications Team on 01702-215000 ext 5939 or 5505 or e-mail media@southend.gov.uk