Work to refurbish a GP practice in a Northumberland village will begin next month.

Meldrum Construction has been appointed to carry out the project to upgrade Northumbria Primary Care’s surgery in Felton.

Now that all planning conditions have been signed off, work is set to start on Monday September 7.

We are hoping to complete the work within six months, but with projects of this nature, delays can happen and the work could take up to eight months.

Abigail Callender, group manager for Northumbria Primary Care, said: “We are very pleased that this work is going to finally begin. We acknowledge that it has taken a long time to get to this stage and we thank patients, our team and stakeholders for their patience and support.

“The upgraded practice will have a significant positive impact on both patient and staff experience. Over the past year we have worked hard to increase the care provision from the surgery and will continue to explore this further when the work is completed. We are always happy to welcome new and returning patients and do hope that our list size increases to enable us to invest more in our Felton practice.”

When Meldrum take over the site in September, they will set up their site cabins and strip out the building so it can be reconfigured for the new layout. Work will be done to install new services, carry out any external building repairs, fit the new windows and install internal walls, ceilings, floors and doors. The new surgery will be decorated and fitted out. Work to transform the existing surgery into the dispensary will then be done.

Floor plans for the refurbished surgery on the practice website (ground floor, first floor).

Meldrum will need to have their site and welfare cabins outside the front of the practice while the work is carried out – this is the only suitable place for them to be located. This area will be securely fenced off and pedestrian access and access to the surgery will be maintained. Access to the surgery will be via the ramp to the right of the existing surgery entrance.

Abigail Callender continued: “We want to assure residents and business owners that all will be done to keep any disruption to a minimum while the work is being carried out. The Meldrum team and their sub-contractors will park their vehicles away from the practice, so they don’t take up parking spaces in this location. We will keep everyone updated in relation to progress.”

It is the intention of the surgery to keep the practice open throughout, and if they need to change the days the surgery is open or opening times, they will let patients know. If for any reason, the practice does need to close temporarily, because of the work, they will also let patients know.

For further information contact cara.charlton@northumbria-healthcare.nhs.uk or 07532 007 082.