PEOPLE in Calne will get the chance to see plans for a new medical centre for the town at a special exhibition next week.

Proposals for the modern building will create more space for patients of Patford House Partnership will go on display at the event after the practice submitted a planning application with its development partners.

Dr Simon Church, senior partner of Patford House Partnership said: “With our newly-merged partnership, we want to make sure that we are able to offer an improved service to our patients across all three sites at Beversbrook Medical Centre, Sutton Benger and Patford House Surgery.

"Calne is a rapidly growing town and our premises at Patford House Surgery are no longer fit for purpose. We are very excited that this new facility will mean all our patients get the services they need for many years to come.”

The drop-in session on Tuesday, February 11 from 4pm to 6pm at Marden House on New Rd will give patients and the community a preview of the scheme for the replacement of Patford House Surgery, which has outgrown its current premises.

The proposed location will be on Silver Street towards the southern edge of Calne.

The development will include new consulting rooms, treatment rooms, a minor surgery suite, training rooms, meeting and administration facilities. A bespoke, technology-led design will focus on the waiting room to further improve the experience for patients. There will be plenty of car parking including disabled access spaces, a mobile diagnostic unit bay and the potential for an on-site pharmacy. The project aims to create a contemporary, attractive building using high quality materials which enhance distinctive local characteristics and complement the surrounding area.

Plans and pictures that show how the facility will look will be on display from 4pm to 6pm on the February 11. Representatives and GPs from Patford House Partnership and Assura, the primary care premises specialist which is leading the development, will be on hand to answer questions. The drop-in session has been arranged to enable the public to comment following submission of a formal planning application to Wiltshire Council for the new development.

Jo Cullen, Director of Primary Care, BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire CCGs said: “We are pleased to have approved the development of this much-needed primary care facility. It represents a significant investment in the local health economy and supports new ways of working for primary care services.”

Jonathan Webb, Senior Development Manager at Assura, says: “This new building is designed to be a sustainable, state-of-the-art replacement for the existing surgery building which is no longer fit for purpose in the long term. We’re planning to showcase some new, exciting technologies as part of the build and very much look forward to sharing the plans with the community and hearing their views and ideas.”

If the plans are approved, it’s expected that construction will start later this year and complete in around 12 months.

For more information about the development visit www.assuracalne.com