According to the Liverpool Primary Care Trust's consulation document noted in post #1, the decision had already been taken to demolish the Garston Hospital, and the consultation questionaire didn't ask that whether the local people would like to preserve the building. It seems the building will be built by a private company, Assura, who will contract run it in conjunction with local GPs, dentists etc in a novel form of co-partnership agreement. In other similar projects, Assura has set up their own pharmacy in such centres
Assura Group Website - Home
Interestingly in another of Assura's projects, Litherland Town Hall Health Centre, the company won an award earlier this year for the quality of their design in retaining the whole building. If this can be done at Litherland, why not in Garston. Surely Garston Hospital is as architecurally important as Litherland Town Hall. At the very least health authority should preserve the front facade of the building with new build behind.
See Assura's PR release:
20 March 2008
Assura is proud to announce that one of its most innovative LIFT partnership buildings, the Litherland Town Hall Health Centre, has been announced joint winner of the 'Best Design' award from a shortlist of three at the inaugural National LIFT Awards.
The aim of the awards is to recognise the success of all partners involved from both the public and private sectors, and celebrate the individuals and organisations that are transforming the delivery of community based health and social care.
Litherland Health Centre was an ambitious project that saw the old Town Hall transformed into a new primary care health centre, bringing additional services closer to home and contributing to local regeneration.
The most challenging aspect of the design was the requirement to retain the original building, which placed enormous constraints on the designers to meet the codes and guidance that ensure safe and effective clinical procedures in new health care facilities.
Operational in September 2005, the building was provided by Liverpool and Sefton Health Partnerships Limited, a public private partnership between Liverpool and Sefton PCTs, Community Health Partnerships and gbconsortium in which Assura LIFT Holdings Limited is a major shareholder.
The health centre features an open, double-storey reception and waiting area with a gallery at first floor level. The design maximises natural light and creates a welcoming hub and focal point.
The 24-hour walk-in facility has a separate entrance from where patients can be triaged in preparation for treatment, allowing for the separate operational policies for this area of the building.
Speaking at the event, Elaine Siew, managing director of Assura LIFT Holdings said: "We are delighted to have received this prestigious award from a field of stiff competition.
"Winning the 'Best Design' category is particularly impressive given that we were constrained by a listed building. Litherland Town Hall Health Centre has not only provided better access to health services for patients, it has also preserved part of the town's history."
div>
Two other partners within the LIFT consortium also picked up awards. Galliford Try picked up the ?Best Supply Chain Partner? award and Grant Thornton scooped the ?Best Advisor? award.
ENDS
Press enquiries regarding Assura Group and Assura Property to:
Andrew McKeon, AJM Public Relations.
Tel: 01423 734 560; Mobile: 07802 484 155
Louise Bathersby, Assura Group.
Tel: 020 7107 3830
Bookmarks