
The extension to Grange Park Surgery in Burley-in-Wharfedale was officially opened on Friday, 11 April, by Dr Roger Goodwin Jones, a general practitioner in the village for over 40 years.
The existing building opened in 1987 to house 4600 patients and 8 members of staff. Now with 7000 patients and over 30 staff the building is just too small.
In 2021, with the prospect of more building within the village and a new nursing home on the horizon, the Partners felt they had to act. It took three years of negotiating with Bradford Council and the NHS to receive the funding that meant the project could start in June of 2024.
[Dr Roger Goodwin Jones cut the ribbon]
Dr Caroline Rayment said:
“We are very grateful to those who helped us realise this badly needed extension. We wish to pay particular thanks to our MP at the time Philip Davies, his successor Anna Dixon and the constituency MP of the partners Robbie Moore; our local councillors Bob Felstead and Chris Steele; our patient participation group and the Burley in Wharfedale community leaders group.
“We are very grateful to Bradford Council who allocate CIL payments, and the estates department of the Bradford and Craven integrated Care board. We have been very appreciative of the support of Lara Berry from Lloyds bank who have arranged the practice finance.
“Without this support we would not have been able to advocate for this much needed increase in medical services within Burley-in-Wharfedale.”
The extension was funded from with a £400,000 grant from the CIL (community infrastructure levy), a smaller grant from the NHS which will be repaid over the next few years and a significant loan taken on by the partners.
Partner Dr Lincoln Jowett said:
“We would like to thank Nigel Jacques and Joe Senczyszyn from nj-Architects for an amazing design and Mathew Cummings, Ben Silverthorne and all the team from Moor Developments for their high quality, efficient work and the respect they have shown staff and patients, understanding that we have had to keep working in the existing building throughout.”
Partner Dr Beth Devlin said:
“We would like to thank Dr Rayment for all her hard work in project managing the build, and the hard work and support from managerial staff Suzanne Smith, Mandy Greenwood and Linda Kelly. Our staff and patients have all been very understanding with the disruption caused whilst the work has been going on. We now have a wonderful purpose-built building for both staff and patients to enjoy for years to come.”
After being given a tour around the new surgery rooms, community room and offices at the surgery, Robbie Moore MP said:
“It was a huge privilege to attend the grand opening of the new extension at Grange Park Surgery.
“I’d like to say a huge thank you to Dr Caroline Rayment and her two GP Partners Beth and Lincoln, together with Councillor Bob Felstead their sheer dedication and determination for what was a near five year struggle to raise funds for this project.
The design is incredible. It is sympathetic to its surroundings and beautiful inside. It was great to be given a tour, and to meet the fantastic architect and builder. The facilities look fantastic.”
Commenting on her Facebook page, MP Anna Dixon said:
“I want to thank the GP partners at Grange Park, Bradford Council, Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw and everyone who contributed to making this project a reality.
“Even before I was elected as the MP for Shipley, I worked hard alongside the excellent local councillor Chris Steele to push for Community Infrastructure Levy funding from Bradford Council for the project. I am incredibly proud for everyone involved and to see it completed.
“I also had the pleasure of visiting Grange Park with the now Secretary of State for Health and Wes Streeting, last June, just as the work was beginning. I was able to show him all the fantastic and innovative work happening here and stressed to him how vital the extension would be to ensure that all local residents can continue to access high-quality services.”