Work is getting under way on a new health centre for Carlisle Healthcare.

A sod-cutting ceremony is being held today at the new centre in Eastern Way in the city.

Joan Irwin, who has worked for Carlisle Healthcare — and its previous practices — for 52 years, will officially break the ground ahead of building work starting in mid-August.

Dr Chris Corrigan, premises lead GP for Carlisle Healthcare, said: “We have been working hard to achieve this since 2015. It has been difficult to secure funding within a challenged health economy. We are very excited about the possibilities this new centre will offer.”

Carlisle Healthcare was created in 2016 when three practices merged – Brunswick House, North Carlisle and St Paul’s. It now serves almost 37,000 patients.

Dr Corrigan said: “We currently operate out of five sites, including outdated buildings with poor access and lack of parking. This new facility will mean we can deliver care from purpose-built surgeries.”

When it opens, the outdated Brunswick House in the city centre will close, along with Arnside House and the small branch surgery in Eastern Way in Harraby.

Dr Corrigan explained: “The greatest proportion of our patients most in need of healthcare live in and near this area. We want this facility to be right at the heart of their community.

"This new building is about a lot more than just bricks and mortar and extra parking. It has been designed to offer a far superior level of comfort and remove the intimidation many feel coming into a GP Surgery. It will also enable us to work in new ways. We are now often receiving more than 800 requests for help every day from our patients.”

It means there will be better space for bringing together the wider combined team, to deliver a fully comprehensive package of care from a range of health and care professionals for the most vulnerable patients. This will include colleagues from other community teams, mental health, voluntary organisations and social services.

The building will be in place by summer/autumn 2022.