Funding secured for new PIC project in Hereford

Private and NHS England funding has been secured to enable construction work to go ahead on the new Hereford Medical Centre, the latest healthcare scheme to be procured through the PIC Framework. A turf cutting ceremony was held on 16 May 2019 to celebrate the start of the building phase.

The Hereford Medical Centre will be built in the heart of the City on behalf of the Hereford Medical Group, a merger of five local GP practices which will be co-located in the modern and accessible purpose-built facility once it completes in 2020. From under one roof, the Hereford Medical Group will be able to make a positive change to the delivery of GP services in its community, making them more sustainable and efficient, and improving the patient experience of seeing their local healthcare teams.

Lot 2 contractor Speller Metcalfe has been selected to deliver this priority scheme for Herefordshire, following a call off from the PIC Framework. As well as coming forward with a competitive tender, the building contractor has a strong local connection to the area as it is based in nearby Malvern.

The multimillion-pound project represents the biggest ever single investment in primary care for Herefordshire and its construction is being financed by both Prime Plc and NHS England, which awarded the scheme £2.1m from its Estates, Technology and Transformation Fund (ETTF).

Richard Laing, Executive Chairman at Worcester based Prime, and Herefordshire resident said: “We have been working closely with the Hereford Medical Group, NHS Herefordshire CCG and Herefordshire Council for five years to bring these exciting plans to fruition, so we are very pleased that we have been able to secure the investment needed to make our collective ambitions a reality and to be here today to see the building work commence.”

Construction started on site in May 2019, with the Hereford Medical Centre ready to welcome patients from Autumn 2020.

Steve Speller, joint owner of Speller Metcalfe said: “We are looking forward to working in partnership with Prime and the Herefordshire CCG to realise this project which will play a vital role in improving access to healthcare for those across the region.

“Our local base and extensive experience across the healthcare sector means we are well equipped to deliver this new and important facility to the highest quality whilst utilising local labour and suppliers wherever possible.”