Local MP Alan Mak has thanked local stakeholders and supporters of his campaign for a new GP surgery in Emsworth, one year on from the official opening of the building.
Following a 6-year campaign, the new surgery building was opened on 7 October 2021 by the local MP. Mr Mak secured £3.5million of Government funding from NHS England for the new, well-equipped facility for residents.
Mr Mak’s campaign work included preventing the sale of the former Emsworth Victoria College Hospital site by NHS Property Services in 2018. The site was deemed to be surplus to requirements for medical use. However Mr Mak intervened to stop the sale and worked closely with the surgery’s GPs and community groups to deliver the new surgery building.
The new building was funded through an Estates, Technology and Transformation fund grant. Among the costs involved in transforming the site were the demolition of single-storey outbuildings, provision of a new rear single-storey extension to the main building, installation of a new lift shaft, roofing and canopy construction, complete reconfiguration of rooms, and extensive internal and external decorations.
Senior GP partner at Emsworth Medical Practice Dr. Abu Chinwala thanked Alan for his work and said in October 2021: “Thank you to Alan for his input over 6 years and for helping to steer this massive project through many hurdles. This a great day for Emsworth to officially open this fantastic facility.”
Local MP Alan Mak said: “One year after I opened the Emsworth Surgery’s new building I am delighted that it is operating successfully, benefitting local residents and patients whilst providing a modern workplace for the doctors, nurses and Surgery staff. Thank you to everyone that worked with me and contributed to delivering the new building. The Surgery is a fantastic local community asset and I hope it will remain a valued health and wellbeing hub for many years to come.”
