A MEDICAL centre is being extended to cope with new building developments in the area.
Dunelm Medical Practice, in Framwellgate Moor, Durham, is hoping to expand its facilities to increase the number of consultation rooms from two to five.
Practice manager Rachel Shakir submitted a planning application for the proposed small infill extension and internal alterations to Durham County Council.
An NHS spokesperson said: “Plans have been submitted as part of an NHS England premises improvement grants process, which would both upgrade the existing premises and add two new consulting rooms.
“These plans are still in the approval process which is being led by NHS England.
“The development is key to providing primary care for new build developments at Framwellgate Moor and Aykley Heads identified within the County Plan of Durham County Council.”
If approved, the changes would mean the practice, located in Front Street, would have five consultant rooms and one treatment room.
It currently has two consultant rooms, one treatment room and one nurse room.
The renovation will also include remodelling the existing reception and waiting area, making some minor improvements to the accessible toilets and putting in a new accessible ramp for the new entrance.
The planning application says the development will provide “much needed additional floorspace”.
It adds: “The building currently has clinical and administration facilities along with a waiting area and associated administration area, which are currently deemed inadequate.
“The works involve reconfiguring the existing ground floor accommodation in order to provide clinical facilities of improved size and functionality.”
If approved, the extension will look similar to the existing building.
Dunelm Medical Practice, which also has surgeries in Gilesgate and Bearpark, has a regular medical team including nine GP partners, a nurse practitioner, two senior nurses and three health care assistants.
It is not yet known whether the extension will also mean more doctors and nurses are employed on the site.
The spokesperson added: “As no plans have been approved at this stage it would be wrong for us to comment if any more medical staff would be required following the expansion as this may be misleading for the public.”
To view the plans visit Durham County Council’s planning portal at www.durham.gov.uk. The application number is DM/17/02368/FPA.
