Offering a bespoke premises solution by listening to individual needs was the exact approach Lister House Surgery in Derby was looking for when they chose to work with One Medical to build them a new surgery.
From those initial conversations, a close working partnership has developed, including a relationship with group company One Medicare, culminating in a successful contract win to open one of the country’s first GP-led health centres, or “Darzis”, as they are known. This innovative move will benefit Derby city by delivering the service in conjunction with local GPs and housing it in purpose-built premises in the heart of the community.
From the start, One Medical’s dedicated relationship manager spent time working with the doctors to produce the best possible business case by focusing on their specific needs. Lister House Surgery was looking to move for a number of reasons – primarily, a lack of space was preventing them from delivering all the services they wished to. One Medical was able to provide exactly what they needed, including a purpose-built drug and sexual health unit with a dedicated entrance.
Kathryn Blackshaw, Director of Service Development and Market Management at Derby City Primary Care Trust (PCT), said: “The new building will allow the practice to offer many enhanced and extended services that they have not been able to develop in their current building.”
The new 2,500m-squared building also incorporates minor surgery, multipurpose rooms, an admin call centre, a pharmacy and flexible training space. The new GP-led health centre will occupy its own dedicated space on the ground and first floors of the building, and will benefit from shared functions such as reception and back office.
Bringing together the skills of both companies in delivering the GP-led health centre adds a unique dimension to the project. You can choose one solution or more from our flexible options: new premises, a joint venture, management consultancy, an exit strategy and/or succession planning – whatever your needs. One Medicare’s excellent track record in patient care, coupled with One Medical’s expertise in delivering bespoke healthcare premises, is a valuable combination.
Dr Phillip Earnshaw, Chief Executive of One Medicare, said: “The GP-led health centre, named The Derby Open Access Centre, is a new concept that combines a walk-in service, GP services for registered patients and, for the first time, GP services for unregistered patients.
“This will be combined with a wide range of additional services. To be able to make the most of this, we want to work in good premises with local partners. In Derby, we have been particularly fortunate to have a great new building and very positive GP and pharmacy partners. We are looking forward to testing out this new model and offering patients more choice in their care.”
In a world where commercial competition for “business” between GP surgeries is increasing, and patients’ demands are more akin to those of a sophisticated “customer” with expectations of service and choice, practices are having to change with the times. While this may seem to some to be a frightening shift, the benefits are obvious: patients receiving higher standards of care in up-to-date facilities and NHS services being delivered where needed and as intended.
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Above: an artist’s impression of the new building in Derby
ONE MEDICAL / ONE MEDICARE
The Business Centre
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Blackhill Road
Leeds LS21 1PY
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