• Plymouth’s Labour council agree to fund £13m project for a new super health hub at Colin Campbell Court
• The new health hub would be a ‘one stop shop’ for health on the high street
• New GP surgery, dental access clinic, sexual health testing and social care all under one roof

Proposals for a new city centre health hub have been given the green light by Plymouth’s Labour Council after a successful campaign by local MP, Luke Pollard.

Since his election, Luke has been arguing that Plymouth needs a new super health hub in the city centre allowing people to access health services on the high street. Working with Cllr Mark Lowry, the city’s finance supremo, and Cllr Kate Taylor who leads on health and social care, Luke argued for a new ‘one stop shop’ for primary care, dentistry and sexual health.

Luke said:

“Our city centre is successful but with more and more people shopping online and not in shops, we need to diversify our city centre and I want one of the new services to be accessible healthcare. That is why I made the case for bringing together GP, dental and sexual health services under one roof in the city centre. More and more people are having difficulty seeing a GP and a dentist and having provision in the heart of the city centre is a big step forward to giving people in Plymouth the care they deserve.

“I am also passionate about removing the stigma around sexual health and having testing available in the city centre will help more people get tested, access treatment and lead safer lives. I am grateful to the city council for seeing potential in this idea and for running with it – it shows what can happen when you get joined up work right.”

Cllr Kate Taylor, the cabinet member for health and social care on Plymouth City Council said:

“I am so proud to be part of a Labour council which is committed to improving access to healthcare services for all residents. A hub hosting not just GP services, but pharmacy, mental health, sexual health and dental services in the very heart of our city is exactly what is needed to try and address some of the challenges being faced in Plymouth. In particular, I am so pleased that we are taking action on addressing the huge – and growing – waiting list for dental services, something which is so important for residents right across the city, but particular those in deprived areas. I can’t wait to see it open.”

Cllr Mark Lowry, the cabinet member for finance added:

“I’m delighted to say that I have already signed the business case to make sure this happens, and planning has already begun. In May next year we will submit a planning application to start work on the Super Health Hub in October 2020. This is a £13 million investment in our city centre, to provide desperately needed primary care right at the heart of our city. This is a great collaboration between our Labour MP and council, that will really benefit people in Plymouth.”

The City Council has worked with partners to develop the proposals for the city centre health hub including Derriford Hospital, the Peninsular Dental School, NHS England and local GP and dental surgeries. The City Council has allocated £13m for the new development on the corner of Market Avenue and George Street that backs onto Colin Campbell Court. Now that the City Council has given the green light to the project it is hoped that work will start on the project in April 2020 and will be completed and open to Plymouth patients in 2022.