Work to begin on Wilberforce Health Centre

WORK on a £15m health centre in Hull is expected to get underway in the new year, the Mail can reveal.

Wilberforce Health Centre will be built on the site of the former Gratton store in Story Street, city centre.

It will be transformed into a walk-in GP service – open between 8am and 8pm 365 days a year – for both registered and non-registered patients.

GPs will relocate from surgeries in the area, as well as dental, sexual health and addictions services.

The centre, also a base for paramedics, is being developed by Citycare – a partnership between primary care trust NHS Hull and construction company Sewell Group.

Jo Barnes, chief executive of Citycare, said: "It has been an incredibly busy year for Citycare with the completion of three significant schemes for us – further enhancing the city's health estate for NHS Hull."

Other health projects include Kingswood Health Centre, Bilton Grange Health Centre and The Orchard Centre.

The Orchard Centre, in Orchard Park, north Hull, opens this month at a cost of £14m.

Mr Barnes said: "Now, 2010 looks set to be just as successful.

"We are delighted to have exchanged contracts on the scheme and be starting on site within the next couple of weeks.

"We will be working very closely with local businesses and residents to ensure the construction phase runs as smoothly as possible."

Christopher Long, chief executive of NHS Hull, said: "Wilberforce Health Centre will provide a range of high-quality health services for the people of Hull.

"Its location in the heart of the city centre means that thousands of residents will benefit from a variety of services delivered in modern, welcoming surroundings.

"This marks another step forward in the delivery of real choice and convenience for patients and the public in Hull."

Bulldozers are expected to begin preparing the site in January.

Citycare expects the centre to be open by "late 2011 – slightly later than previously stated.