Canvey Island Primary Care Centre opens new diagnostic and physiotherapy services
Canvey Island Primary Care Centre has opened after renovation, with the Centre providing outpatient care, phlebotomy and X-ray services to the local community.
This centre provides a new state-of-the-art X-ray machine, on the ground floor with two accessible changing areas. There will also be 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.
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.”
Rebecca Harris, MP for Castle Point said: “I am thrilled that the x-ray machine is now re-opening on Canvey, I know many residents have been eagerly waiting for this news. 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.”
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.
The Integrated Care System (ICS) has ambitious plans to make significant improvements in how and where health and social care is delivered in a primary and community care setting. The vision is focused on reforming the health and social care agenda as outlined in the “NHS Long Term Plan” and is in line with the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board Estates Strategy, which identifies Canvey PCC as a priority site for investment.