THIS is the new building which could soon be welcoming GP patients if a medical centre is granted permission to relocate.

GP partners at Berwyn House Surgery want to build the new £3.5 million centre in Droitwich Road, Worcester – on the site of the Deers Leap pub and a builder’s yard.

The surgery, which has 10,000 patients, is currently housed in “an outdated” Edwardian end terrace in Shrubbery Avenue, Barbourne, Worcester.

A previous plan to relocate to a £6.75 million centre in Northwick was shelved earlier this year when NHS Worcestershire was unable to commit funds to the project before the option on the site ran out.

A planning application for the new scheme is scheduled to be submitted within a fortnight and the project will be paid for with a combination of NHS cash and private investment.

The Deers Leap pub remains open while the surgery seeks planning permission for the scheme.

If granted, the land will be bought from owners Aqueo Investments Limited.

However, £10,000 has already been paid to the owners on the understanding the land will be bought from them if the plans are successful.

The new plans, unlike the original scheme, will not involve Thorneloe Lodge Surgery in Barbourne Road.

The new facilities will have modern consulting and treatment rooms, a minor operations suite, an on-site pharmacy and 41 car parking spaces. The existing surgery in Shrubbery Avenue has no parking spaces.

The medical practice will house district nurses, health visitors, midwives and other community staff.

The practice is also in advanced negotiations with a firm of physiotherapists, podiatrists and chiropodists.

Dr Charlie Harris, from Berwyn House Surgery, said: “We have been working very hard for well over four years to try to bring about the relocation of this practice because we remain dedicated to offer our existing 10,000 patients the very best and easily accessible medical care. Without relocation, it would be impossible to take on extra work and reach the full potential that general practice is capable of.

“The challenging financial period that the NHS will be facing over the coming years makes the need to modernise and improve frontline GP services more urgent than ever.”

A business case for the development has been submitted to NHS Worcestershire, which fully supports the scheme.

Patients will be able to look at and comment on the plans in the reception area at the practice, as well as on the practice website at berwyn housesurgery.co.uk If planning permission is granted, it is hoped that work will start on site in early 2011 for completion in early 2012.