Canvey Island Primary Care Centre has opened after renovation, with the Centre providing outpatient care, blood tests (phlebotomy) and X-ray services to the local community.
Rebecca Harris, MP for Castle Point was shown the new state-of-the-art X-ray machine. Along with the additional outpatient clinics on the ground floor and a modernised physiotherapy suite, maximising clinical space, providing care closer to home and reducing travel time for patients to hospitals off Canvey Island.
Rebecca commented: “I am thrilled that the x-ray machine is finally re-opening on Canvey, I know many residents have been eagerly waiting for this news. I've been urging the NHS teams to get this up and running as quickly as possible and I was pleased to be shown the completed work. Along with the other new additional services being offered at the Centre, it will make a huge difference to people right across the Borough accessing these vital services, reducing waiting times, allowing more tests to take place and most importantly all happening closer to home.”
Jonathan Dunk, Chief Commercial Officer for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust said: “This programme had encountered some delays but we are very pleased to be able to once more offer X-ray, more blood testing capacity and an upgraded physiotherapy suite to Canvey residents. Having key services in one updated building is better for residents who can use this as a hub for some of their diagnostic tests and treatments.”
Dr Yomi Adegbite is the Clinical Director of Canvey Island Primary Care Network (PCN), a group comprising all the GP practices on the island. Dr Adegbite said: “On behalf of the PCN, we are very pleased that our patients and residents now have access to a wider variety of NHS services right here on Canvey. The extra diagnostics and other services offered at Central Canvey Primary Care Centre are part of the NHS commitment to delivering high-quality healthcare closer to where people live. These are positive changes for everyone living on Canvey and we welcome them.”
The modern two-storey Canvey Primary Care Centre (PCC) was opened initially opened in 2009 providing functional, adaptable facilities for the local community. Currently the centre is home to three GP surgery teams on the first-floor physiotherapy, podiatry, ultrasound, leg ulcer and dermatology services. Canvey PCC is located at the centre of Canvey Island at a location accessible within 30 minutes by public transport for all the island's population.
The £981,000 X-ray and outpatients project is phase one of a planned three-stage project to develop a health and care hub for the local population across Canvey Island, delivering local services to improve health outcomes, especially for older people. The second phase planned at Canvey PCC will improve facilities and utilisation within the building for the GP teams on the first floor. The third phase will create a collaborative health and care hub working with the Castle Point Borough Council teams. Canvey PCC is a priority site for investment.
