GP surgery hoping for expansion boost

SURGERY plans . . . Former Royton Youth Centre in Royton could be turned into a GP surgery

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A ROYTON GP surgery is hoping a move to a larger premises will help it expand its services and increase the number of patients it can serve.

Royton Medical Centre has submitted an application to convert the former Royton Youth Centre, on Chapel Street, into a new GP surgery for the practice.

The GP surgery has proposed to convert the centre and add a single-storey side extension and new pitched roof at the site, with the alterations facilitating the addition of consulting rooms, additional services and improved disabled access.

The new site will be only 100 yards away from their current home on Market Street, which the practice says will allow the move to be as smooth as possible for patients.

Dr Zahid Chauhan, senior partner at the medical centre, said: "This move will allow the centre to offer more services to our patients and we will be liaising with other organisations about making use of the space.

"This will include dementia clinics, MIND mental health services and additional pulmonary rehab classes as well as allowing the practice to expand its patient numbers.

"Transforming the former youth centre into a health centre will also bring the building back into use and will contribute to the regeneration of Oldham."

He added that the practice's Patient Participation Group (PPG) is actively supporting the plans and is helping to drive the change.

The plans, which have been partially funded by NHS England, also include a change of use of the current play ground into a car park, with access from Chapel Street, and the erection of a 1.8m high fence around the property.

The design and access statement adds: "It is considered that the development will be appropriate for the area and will not adversely affect the occupiers of the surrounding properties and will blend in with the existing building."

The practice, which was nominated for a Pride in Oldham award in 2015, currently has 4,150 patients on its list and employs two full-time GPs, a senior partner who works part-time and 11 practice staff.

A final decision on the application is expected in early February.

Royton youth centre was closed in September, 2015.