Ascot residents are being invited to a drop-in session to have their say on the latest plans for a new state-of-the art community health centre in Sunningdale.
Hosted by NHS East Berkshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the project team, the drop-in session will take place between 5pm and 8.30pm on Thursday 3 October 2019 at Macdonald Berystede Hotel and Spa in Sunninghill.
The address is Bagshot Road, Sunninghill, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 9JH. Advance booking is not required as people can simply just turn up on the day.
Residents will have the opportunity to look at the latest proposed plans and air their views. If a revised application gets the green light to go ahead, there will be a purpose built health centre.
Alex Tilley, East Berkshire CCG’s Associate Director for Primary Care, said: “The proposal for a new medical facility to be built, forms a part of a wider Ascot health plan which is to modernise primary and community care for local residents over the coming years.
“Many people will be aware that a planning application for the erection of a new community health centre at Ben at Lynwood, Rise Road, Sunningdale, was initially submitted to the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in 2017.
“However, following discussions with the Local Planning Authority and key stakeholders, it became apparent that the proposals needed to be revisited in order to satisfy some concerns raised.
She added: “Following extensive discussions between the CCG, Ben at Lynwood, key community groups, stakeholders and the general practices involved, it has been decided to withdraw the current application and to resubmit a revised scheme which will provide clear and robust justification that, in this instance, exceptional circumstances exist to allow new development in the Green Belt.
“It is therefore very important to us that we take our revised plans back to the people of Ascot prior to submission so I would encourage people to attend the drop-in session. Based on a submission next month, we intend that it will reach a borough wide planning panel in mid January 2020.”
“As it stands, Magnolia House and Kings Corner are unable to expand to cope with current capacity and demand, with the majority of their consultation and treatment rooms located on the first floor with no lift facility for those in need.
“The plan to build a new site would provide high quality accommodation with improved access for patients who are frail or who have disabilities, with co-ordinated care between health and social care. It would also enable access to a wider range of services in the community and a more collaborative way of delivering primary care. There is the potential to offer services for urgent care and on the day primary care, as well as additional healthcare professionals such as physiotherapists, mental health teams and voluntary sector.”
Sarah Isherwood, Associate for and on behalf of Vail Williams LLP, said: “Vail Williams are pleased to be working alongside NHS East Berkshire CCG to assist in the delivery of a new community health centre for the residents of Sunninghill, Sunningdale and the surrounds in the right location allied to the CCG’s plan and linked to the Government’s objectives at a time where the provision of a fit-for-purpose GP practices are more important than ever to meet modern healthcare needs.”
