New Nelson Local Care Centre Is Nearing Completion


'Topping out' ceremony for new building

A ceremony to mark the topping out of the new NHS Local Care Centre on the former Nelson Hospital site took place on Tuesday (July 8).

The Nelson Local Care Centre in Kingston Road had its final roof slab laid by Dr Howard Freeman, Chair of Merton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), and Eleanor Brown, Merton CCG Chief Officer, to mark the completion of the external build.

He was joined by members of Merton CCG Governing Body and Member practices, and representatives from the Merton community and project partners.

The Nelson Local Care Centre will be a modern healthcare facility purpose built to deliver more services in the community. This means that more patients will be seen, diagnosed and treated closer to home. It is due to open in spring 2015.

The centre will provide GP services, outpatient appointments, therapy services, services for older people, minor surgery and procedures, x-ray, ultrasound, blood tests and community mental health services.

The new facility is a similar size as the former Nelson Hospital, but the new building provides an up-to-date service configuration to deliver integrated healthcare designed around the needs of local people.

Dr Freeman said: "It is fantastic to see the Nelson Local Care Centre become a reality. It will be a real asset to the Merton healthcare system when complete. Local people will be able to choose to be seen, diagnosed and treated in a modern healthcare facility that is conveniently located in the community.

"Through our commissioning we will encourage health professionals to work closely together to ensure Merton patients receive the best possible care closer to home.

"I would like to thank Merton CCG staff, local clinicians, constructors Rydon and our partners South London Health Partnership and Community Health Partnerships who have made this happen."

The next stages of the project include finalising the healthcare service providers who will operate in the centre, finishing interior construction and fitting out so it will be ready to open in spring 2015. 

The Nelson Local Care Centre is being funded through a NHS Local Improvement Finance Trust, a Private Public Partnership which has been developed with South London Health Partnerships Ltd.

For more information on the project visit http://www.mertonccg.nhs.uk

July 13, 2014