An event for residents to view plans for a proposed new build at Bethesda Medical Centre in Margate will take place on January 10.
The plans will be available to see at the centre in Palm Bay Avenue between 3pm and 8pm.
The centre aims to invite residents who will be affected by the build so that any concerns can be discussed before the full building application is submitted.
There are currently two plans for the new build, funded by a successful NHS bid. One will be chosen and submitted as part of a formal planning application.
The centre is hoping to buy the old coach park next door to provide additional parking. Currently plans show spaces for 40 vehicles.
The building will have two floors and include facilities such as a gym, café and frailty hub. There will be ultrasound scanning and specialist clinics but no X Ray service.
The expansion is expected to be completed by January 2020.
A merger with Northdown surgery is expected to take place around the same time. Meetings are currently taking place to look at dual working. Once the merger is complete there will be one team. No redundancies are expected.
It is thought the merger is part of NHS plans for extended GP practices outlined in Kent’s Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP).
The STP, created by Kent and Medway health trusts, the NHS, Kent County Council and Medway Council, sets out proposals to overhaul the health system, including changes to GP surgeries and hospitals.
One of the proposals in the STP is to replace Thanet’s 17 GP surgeries with 4 extended practices, serving a catchment of between 30-60,000 patients, and a medical hub.
