The centre houses a new ‘state-of-the-art’ X-ray machine on the ground floor, with two accessible changing areas. There will also be additional outpatient clinics on the ground floor and a modernised physiotherapy suite, maximising clinical space, providing care closer to home, and reducing travel time for patients to hospitals off Canvey Island. CHP says having key services in one updated building is better for residents, who can use this as a hub for some of their diagnostic tests and treatments. In the past, patients would have to leave the island for X-rays. The centre was recently visited by MP for Castle Point, Rebecca Harris. The £981,000 X-ray and outpatients project is phase one of a planned three-stage project to develop a health and care hub for the local population across Canvey Island, delivering local services to improve health outcomes, especially for older people. The second phase planned will improve facilities and utilisation within the building for the GP teams on the first floor, and the third will create a collaborative health and care hub working with the Castle Point Borough Council teams.
Community Health Partnerships explained: “The ICS has ambitious plans to make significant improvements in how and where health and social care are delivered in a primary and community care setting. The vision is focused on reforming the health and social care agenda as outlined in the NHS Long Term Plan, and is in line with the Mid and South Essex ICB Estates Strategy, which identifies Canvey PCC as a priority site for investment.”
Dr Yomi Adegbite, Clinical director of Canvey Island Primary Care Network, said: “The modern two-storey Canvey Primary Care Centre was opened initially opened in 2009, providing functional, adaptable facilities for the local community. Currently the centre is home to three GP surgery teams on the first floor, with physiotherapy, podiatry, ultrasound, leg ulcer, and dermatology services.”
Canvey PCC’s location at the centre of Canvey Island means it is accessible within 30 minutes by public transport for all of the island’s population.