Private firm will run uni's GP clinic

10:54am Friday 20th June 2008

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THE new GP surgery on the University of Essex's Southend site will be run by a private firm.

ChilversMcCrea Health-care will run the practice on the first floor of the building in Elmer Approach, Southend, offer ing patients longer opening hours than other local surgeries.

The company already runs the Northumberland Surgery in Northumberland Avenue - recently renamed the Pier Medical Centre.

Primary care trust spokesman Paul Ilett said both surgeries offer most flexible opening hours, making it easier for working patients to see a GP.

He added: "Chilvers-McCrea Healthcare will also run the new campus surgery. Patients registered with the practice will be able to use either site.

"The campus surgery will also be used as a training site for GPs, hopefully attracting new doctors to the area. We are still working to agree the lease for the campus site, but hope to conclude negotiations shortly."

The company took over management of its first NHS GP practice, in Harlow, in 2002 and by October 2007, was running more than 30 such practices. It currently employs about 300 people.

The university's new £25million building will also have a dental practice offering free treatment by supervised dental undergraduates.

Jenny Grinter, a spokeswoman for the university, said the new GP surgery was part of its drive to work with the local community.

The dental and GP practices would share a reception area in the building.

She added: "The idea is to have a health and dental care centre, next to the department of health and human sciences. They will complement each other.

"This autumn, we will offer a BSc in nursing and degrees in oral health, which will link in nicely with the dental side."