Extension of Aslake Close GP Surgery in Sprowston

As many constituents will be aware, I have been campaigning for the right level of doctor and dentist provision for the people who live here now and in the future, as homes are built in our area.

That is why I was pleased to learn recently that the Sprowston GP surgery, on Aslake Close and part of the East Norwich Medical Partnership, will be receiving a brand new extension to the original practice premises. This has been made possible by the £25 million of NHS capital funding from the Government to support the development of five new primary care hubs across Norfolk and Waveney.

Proposals for the existing ground floor extension will see a reconfiguration of the reception, waiting and entrance areas, as well as the addition of fully compliant WC facilities, and clean and dirty utility rooms to both existing clinical areas. To the rear, a single-story extension will house five new fully compliant clinical rooms. The improvements to the waiting areas will ensure the current empty areas within the building are fully utilised.

On the first-floor of the existing building moderate improvements will be made to enable future access to a vertical extension if required. General Medical Services will continue to be provided by East Norwich Medical Practice, who I am working closely with at this time, as well as the local health authorities.

As the Chancellor announced in the autumn spending review, the NHS will receive: over £12 billion of capital funding for investment in and maintenance of the NHS estate; £5.9 billion for diagnostics, technology and elective recovery; £4.2 billion for at least 70 hospital upgrades and 40 new hospitals; and funding to eradicate mental health dormitories. That is on top of £500 million of additional capital funding given for the second half of this year to help tackle the elective backlog. It means that NHS capital budgets will have increased by over 8% year-on-year above inflation since the start of the Parliament.

I welcome the planned expansion on Aslake Close, and the Government’s ambitious spending review, which will help provide them much needed capital projects, which balance out the growing needs of the national and local population.

Furthermore, I will continue campaigning for the right provision of doctors and dentists for Norwich North.

I hope you find this information is helpful, and if I can help constituents with any matter, please do email me on chloe@chloesmith.org.uk or ring my constituency office on 01603 414756.