Dartmouth's Health and Wellbeing Centre reaches next stage

'Topping out ceremony' celebrates the development of the new Health and Wellbeing Centre for Dartmouth reaching its highest point.

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust’s Chairman Sir Richard Ibbotson was joined by local GP Dr Tony Anderson, Nick Hindmarsh from Dartmouth Caring and local nurse Tom McEwan to celebrate the ‘topping out’ of Dartmouth’s brand-new Health and Wellbeing centre.

The ceremony marks the building reaching the highest point. The £4m programme will provide a purpose-built centre for community health services and clinics alongside the local GP practice and a pharmacy.

The centre, based at the top of town in Dartmouth, is planned to open in later this year.

The ceremony, hosted by Sir Richard Ibbotson, was attended by representatives from the town and district councils, and a number of local groups including Dartmouth Leagues of Friends, Dartmouth Medical Centre and its Patient Participation Group, Dartmouth Caring and governors of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.

Sir Richard Ibbotson commented: “It is so good to see how far the development has come since building work started last summer. The Health and Wellbeing Centre will be a fantastic facility for the people of Dartmouth and the surrounding communities. I was so pleased to have been joined by some of the people who have given so much time and energy into the making of this centre.”

Cllr Hilary Bastone, South Hams District Council’s Deputy Leader said: “I’m delighted that the project is nearing completion, so that this much needed facility can open and start to serve the good people of Dartmouth. I am proud that the council stepped in to assist Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust when they needed our help, by providing land and funding to ensure that the Health Hub could become a reality."

Dr Anthony Anderson, Dartmouth Medical Practice, said: “Having looked around, the building is impressive, particularly its size. We all look forward to moving to this modern, purpose-built building with space to increase our services, better working conditions for everyone, better patient access and ample parking. It’s been a long journey but we’re nearly there.”

The centre will give local people access to a broad range of health and wellbeing services in one place, by bringing together GPs, community nurses, therapists, Dartmouth Caring and a pharmacy. There will also be good public transport links as well as on-site parking – and the overflow parking for the park and ride is also being upgraded with new hardstanding parking spaces which will make the site even more accessible.

The building project is being led by Torbay and South Devon’s strategic estates partner, gbpartnerships with the building work carried out by Westcountry building firm, Classic Builders.

Business Development Director at gbpartnerships, Hugh Robinson, commented: “We are delighted to be working with the Trust, Council, GPs and Classic Builders on this important new Health and Wellbeing Centre, which, when completed, will include a range of sustainable features such as photovoltaic panels on the roof to generate electricity.”