Service for GPs is just what the doctor ordered

from left Andrew Rowson of Johnson Fellows, Steven Handley of Northcroft and Kevin Singh of The Space Studio pictured at St.Pauls Square in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter

A partnership of three Birmingham companies could be just what the doctor ordered for GPs consortia considering investing in new surgeries in order to provide top quality care for their patients.

Chartered surveyors Johnson Fellows, architects and interior designers The Space Studio and construction consultants Northcroft, all based in the Jewellery Quarter, want to work with GPs responding to opportunities in the new health bill to improve facilities for patients.

Andrew Rowson, of Johnson Fellows, said: “Our three companies are all experts in our field and we believe we can provide a first class service to GPs consortia considering relocating into new surgeries or redeveloping their existing sites. We see a gap in the market where we can provide consulting, property and construction services to GPs consortia in one neat package.”

The move comes in response to new legislation being discussed under the new Health and Social Care Bill currently going through Parliament.

“In the proposed health bill there has been a shift in the way financing is obtained. It has shifted across to GPs consortia and away from PCTs,” said Andrew.

“GPs will now potentially amalgamate with each other or some might see an opportunity to relocate or redevelop their sites and may require new GP practices. That’s where they will require the services of property experts such as ourselves.”

Kevin Singh, director of The Space Studio, said: “We have a close working relationship with Johnson Fellows already on health care projects and we have delivered great quality, on budget and on time. This partnership of three companies will bring together all of our skills, experience and expertise, from finding a site, looking at funding, designing and managing the whole process from start to finish.”

Andrew added: “Funding is now GP-led and can be sourced from various avenues. They don’t necessarily need to follow NHS financial constraints. For example, they can negotiate with a developer to purchase the land and build a new facility and then lease it back for 20 years.”

Steven Handley, main board director of Northcroft, added: “The potential of this consortia is exceptional and we feel that the carefully selected team will ensure that an efficient process is procured at the outset and maintained throughout the life of the development. Northcroft are successfully acting on numerous GP-led schemes and by adding this experience to that already held by Johnson Fellows and the Space Studio will ultimately benefit all parties in the process. We are delighted to be involved.”

The team recently worked together on the Wrekin Community Clinic, Euston House, Telford, which was completed in December 2010. The conversion of an office into an ophthalmology medical facility on behalf of Telford and Wrekin PCT has been hailed a huge success.

The project saw a 6,000 sq ft ground floor office suite converted into a clinic for ophthalmology and MSK services, relieving the pressure on services at Shropshire’s two principal hospitals and bringing the facility into the heart of the community.

Andrew Rowson added: “Up until the white paper, GPs were doing their own thing. In Telford there are 22 GP practices that will be providing welfare services for that area. They are all talking to each other and looking at the way they can do things and particularly looking to relocate or develop new facilities. As a consequence of the success of the Telford project we are now doing another project in Church Parade in Oakengates, Telford. This is a facility for adults with challenging behaviour and learning difficulties.”