A NEW GP surgery in Andover has now opened its doors to its first patients.

The surgery at Andover War Memorial Hospital officially opened on Monday, December 12.

The building work was completed earlier in November on the new multi-million-pound redevelopment to move Andover Health Centre Medical Practice from Charlton Road to a brand new, purpose-built wing on the site of Andover War Memorial Hospital.

The development is expected to provide a modern healthcare setting for more than 14,000 registered patients and surgery staff, as well as an NHS Special Care Dental Service.

The Special Care Dental Service (SCDS) will be opening at the new premises at a slightly later date in January 2023.

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The Sexual Health Service will continue to be based in the existing building while a longer-term premises is identified.

Solent NHS Trust is currently working with local partners to find suitable options and more information will follow in due course.

The new home for Andover Medical Practice is the result of long-term partnership working between Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB).

Contractors Mountjoy started on-site in November 2020 for what was then anticipated to be a 12-month construction period.

However, with the Covid-19 pandemic, the construction programme faced many limiting factors, including a shortage of building materials.

The construction work has included extending the Andover War Memorial hospital and creating a new car park.

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Andover Health Centre Medical Practice manager Amanda Goddard said: “The big day has now arrived, and this is a huge event for us, our patients and all those people in the community who have helped our vision become a reality. 

“Our existing site was not purpose-built and has long been outgrown by the community it serves. It was too small and has not enabled us to offer the full range of primary care services that we want to provide. Our new building exceeds our expectations. Our staff love it and I’m sure our patients will too.” 

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation chief executive Alex Whitfield said: “We are delighted to have been able to support this vital development in Andover – working together to provide the best care for patients in a modern, purpose-built environment. It has been wonderful to see this team effort become a success, and I want to recognise the hard work of everyone involved. This will benefit local residents for years to come.”

Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB associate director Ali Young said: “There are so many people we would like to thank for making this happen, from the builders to our staff and our patients and the local community We would also like to apologise to the local residents for the inconvenience caused while the construction work has taken place.

“We look forward to welcoming patients to their new state-of-the art facility to be able to provide the care and support they need.”

Kit Malthouse MP said: “It’s absolutely tremendous to see the Health Centre open for business.

"Over the past few years, I have consistently pressed for more investment in the Andover health service and so I’m incredibly pleased to see the centre open its doors following the announcement of £6.5 million investment for a new diagnostic centre announced last month”.