Plans for new doctors' surgery after merger

Plans for a new doctors' surgery building in Brighton were put on show for patients and visitors.
Alex Jones, general manager at Sussex Partnershp NHS Foundation Trust and surgery partner Dr Fiona RumbollAlex Jones, general manager at Sussex Partnershp NHS Foundation Trust and surgery partner Dr Fiona Rumboll
Alex Jones, general manager at Sussex Partnershp NHS Foundation Trust and surgery partner Dr Fiona Rumboll

St Peter’s and North Laine medical centres merged at the end of November, with all doctors working out of the Oxford Street surgery in Brighton.

If the new surgery is given planning permission, it would be built in two stages, with the first stage on the neighbouring car park.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Once this is complete the current building would be demolished and the second stage built in its place.

Dozens of visitors saw how the new building would include 16 consultation rooms as well as space set aside for interviews, meetings and training.

Surgery partner Fiona Rumboll hopes that the practice will return to training new general practitioners (GPs).

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust also hopes to expand its presence at the surgery.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

For the past six months the trust has offered secondary mental health services from the surgery two and a half days a week.

Dr Rumboll said: “We are brimming with ideas but are squeezed for space.

“There are lots of exciting options to have on-site benefit advice for the homeless (and) mental health support workers.

“There’s also a group room on the ground floor to offer support for people suffering with loneliness or post-traumatic stress disorder.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She would also like to host patient support groups and sessions for patients with diabetes.

Sussex Partnership general manager Alex Jones said that the trust was looking at more creative ways of working closely with primary care (GP surgeries).

He said: “Together we are developing new ways of working collaboratively.

“For people going forward the next development is making empowered choices for what suits them.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We’re pleased with the way rooms are integrated as people need support and this helps break down the stigma around mental health.”

The plans are currently at the consultation stage before being submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council.

The surgery team is waiting to hear whether it has secured £1.24million funding from the NHS Estates and Technology Transformation Fund.

Currently the merged surgeries serve 16,000 people.