News: Council moving ahead with Rotherham town centre health hub plan
Work to create a new Health Hub in Rotherham town centre is progressing with the conversion of the empty former Boots building.
Rothbiz reported last year on the authority's plans to introduce "Health on the High Street" in a bid to improve access to health services and increase footfall. For phase 1, Morris and Spottiswood Ltd started work in January on a £843,580 contract to carry out ground floor internal modifications and a potential fit-out to accommodate the relocation of Abbey Pharmacy.
The completed relocation and opening of Abbey Pharmacy's new location links to the wider regeneration of the nearby markets.
Now, early stage work is underway on phase 2 of the health hub project and establishing which services can occupy the rest of the 25,985 sq ft property that was acquired by Rotherham Council in 2023.
It is expected that Connect Healthcare Rotherham will play a major role. The community interest company was formed by all 28 GP practices in Rotherham as shareholders and provides primary care services at scale. They are said to be keen to relocate their services into a centrally located hub.
A new health hub is expected to enable more same day services and extended access (weekend and out of hours) for services such as GP, nurse and other appointments. Phsyio, NHS Health Checks and stop smoking and weight management services could also operate from the hub.
The council has identified that 80,000 additional people are within 30 minutes of the town centre site using public transport compared to current facilities at Rawmarsh.
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Cllr. John Williams, Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, described the project as "an opportunity to bring together both regeneration and health and wellbeing objectives in a way that will benefit both our residents and our town centre."
He added: "The second phase is about that broader vision for the project and the role it could play in improving access to health and wellbeing services in a central and highly accessible location in the town centre. The vision is to create a hub that improves the access to primary health services and supports a more joined up approach between health, local government, the voluntary sector, to help tackle health inequalities and contribute to the vibrancy and footfall of the town centre.
"In terms of the council, it is being led by regeneration. It is a regeneration project but pursuing those wider health and wellbeing benefits for the town centre. It is benefiting the town centre by bringing those alternative uses in. We know that's what we need to do for regeneration and the future of our town centre - we can't rely purely on a retail offer. That's why we are doing the new town centre housing, the new library and markets project, and this is another big key project."
Lorna Vertigan, head of regeneration at Rotherham Council, said: "It's location is really, really important in developing that service strategy - a reason for people to come into the town centre. It sits directly opposite the markets and where the library is going to be open soon. You've got the proximity there of the shopping centres and the interchange right behind it, you've got Tesco and the Drummond Street car park - they are all within a really close walking distance. And when you access that building you are walking past other properties, which helps drive that footfall and give people a reason to meander and move round the town centre."
Gilly Brenner, Consultant in Public Health at Rotherham Council, added: "We really want this to improve patient experience. We do know that from other places where they have put health on the High Street we have seen people combine trips. So rather than just going for their health appointment they are then able to fit that in to their busy day - picking up their shopping or various other things, make it a bit more of a day out and link it then to the other opportunities within the town centre."
A phased approach is being used and a business case for the hub is in development. A big part of the work will be to identify and secure funding to complete phase 2.
£1.7m was secured from the Pathfinder funds (now Local Regeneration Fund) for both phases. Funding was moved away from the live music venue project to the health hub project.
Images: Tom Austen
Rothbiz reported last year on the authority's plans to introduce "Health on the High Street" in a bid to improve access to health services and increase footfall. For phase 1, Morris and Spottiswood Ltd started work in January on a £843,580 contract to carry out ground floor internal modifications and a potential fit-out to accommodate the relocation of Abbey Pharmacy.
The completed relocation and opening of Abbey Pharmacy's new location links to the wider regeneration of the nearby markets.
Now, early stage work is underway on phase 2 of the health hub project and establishing which services can occupy the rest of the 25,985 sq ft property that was acquired by Rotherham Council in 2023.
It is expected that Connect Healthcare Rotherham will play a major role. The community interest company was formed by all 28 GP practices in Rotherham as shareholders and provides primary care services at scale. They are said to be keen to relocate their services into a centrally located hub.
A new health hub is expected to enable more same day services and extended access (weekend and out of hours) for services such as GP, nurse and other appointments. Phsyio, NHS Health Checks and stop smoking and weight management services could also operate from the hub.
The council has identified that 80,000 additional people are within 30 minutes of the town centre site using public transport compared to current facilities at Rawmarsh.
Advertisement
Cllr. John Williams, Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, described the project as "an opportunity to bring together both regeneration and health and wellbeing objectives in a way that will benefit both our residents and our town centre."
He added: "The second phase is about that broader vision for the project and the role it could play in improving access to health and wellbeing services in a central and highly accessible location in the town centre. The vision is to create a hub that improves the access to primary health services and supports a more joined up approach between health, local government, the voluntary sector, to help tackle health inequalities and contribute to the vibrancy and footfall of the town centre.
"In terms of the council, it is being led by regeneration. It is a regeneration project but pursuing those wider health and wellbeing benefits for the town centre. It is benefiting the town centre by bringing those alternative uses in. We know that's what we need to do for regeneration and the future of our town centre - we can't rely purely on a retail offer. That's why we are doing the new town centre housing, the new library and markets project, and this is another big key project."
Lorna Vertigan, head of regeneration at Rotherham Council, said: "It's location is really, really important in developing that service strategy - a reason for people to come into the town centre. It sits directly opposite the markets and where the library is going to be open soon. You've got the proximity there of the shopping centres and the interchange right behind it, you've got Tesco and the Drummond Street car park - they are all within a really close walking distance. And when you access that building you are walking past other properties, which helps drive that footfall and give people a reason to meander and move round the town centre."
Gilly Brenner, Consultant in Public Health at Rotherham Council, added: "We really want this to improve patient experience. We do know that from other places where they have put health on the High Street we have seen people combine trips. So rather than just going for their health appointment they are then able to fit that in to their busy day - picking up their shopping or various other things, make it a bit more of a day out and link it then to the other opportunities within the town centre."
A phased approach is being used and a business case for the hub is in development. A big part of the work will be to identify and secure funding to complete phase 2.
£1.7m was secured from the Pathfinder funds (now Local Regeneration Fund) for both phases. Funding was moved away from the live music venue project to the health hub project.
Images: Tom Austen
16 comments:
Another great idea.... Queues of "newcomers" demanding there latest tax payer funded freebie.Pretty sure it will pull more footfall into town centre.
Had a feeling that the first comment would be from a racist, uneducated, ignorant Reform / Restore voter.
This location is not on or near the run down high st, these cllr's are deluded and need to get out and about and speak to the people in the town centre ,Also forge island and the new market hall are not doing anything for the town centre not according to folk who ventire in to town ,Actually the opposite, what a waste of £95 million
No it’s probably from a realist , not a looney leftie like you
This is a great development and will improve access to health facilities with a more central location. Other areas have introduced high street health and diagnostic facilities with great success so I see no reason why this can't be replicated in Rotherham.
They don't literally mean the street called 'High Street'. You do know the difference between 'High Street' and 'The High Street' don't you?
"Also forge island and the new market hall are not doing anything for the town centre not according to folk who ventire in to town" I would respectfully disagree. The Arc cinema at Forge Island is a massive success, with thousands visiting each month who would have previously visited cinemas outside Rotherham.
I'm actually a centrist, small 'c' conservative, I just don't agree with ignorant racists, not everyone who disagrees with you is automatically left wing.
A thoughtful and we'll argued post. You must feel out of place on this blog.
Wake up and smell the coffee
An old insult you would be incapable of brewing yourself
Certainly a more pleasant aroma than that of a bigot
Do you feel better replying twice?
Do you feel better after voicing your prejudices?
What prejudices?
This raises the question does it replace the Rawmarsh facility. If it does then we will have gained anything but moved what we have to a new location.
The reference to housing in Rotherham, is this including the one bedroom accommodation that seems to be the councils priority,
I could go on but my dog wants a walk.
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