Kitto Construction

Christchurch Family Medical Centre, Downend, Bristol

Site sale and ‘design and build’ of a new Health Centre.

Kitto Developments secured this ½ acre former junior school site in Downend, which has a prominent main road frontage, before offering it to local surgeries for a new build medical centre.

The existing Overnhill Surgery had been located for more than eighty years in a converted Victorian house in Overnhill Road, Staple Hill. The surgery had little parking and having twice previously been extended there was no scope for further extension. As the range of services offered by doctors’ surgeries has grown, with more teaching, greater part-time working and increased administrative burden, the need for larger premises inevitably led Dr Tim Coulson & Partners to be keen to acquire new premises.

Kitto and our specialist consultants prepared and agreed drawings and specifications within tight budgetary constraints with the doctors’ and their representatives. Detailed planning permission for the new surgery was obtained before the Practice purchased the site from Kitto Developments and entered into a ‘design and build’ contract with Kitto Construction for the new Christchurch Family Medical Centre.

The new three storey building has on the ground floor eight consulting rooms, including one GP registrar. There are five rooms for practice nurses, as nurse practitioners now see patients in much the same way as a GP. One of the treatment rooms is equipped for minor operations, obviating the need for unnecessary referrals to hospital. The large waiting room, reception, administration offices, patient toilets & disabled facilities, as well as a 74m² on-site pharmacy operated by Boots complete the accommodation.

The eight person lift and two staircases provide access to the first floor where there is a staff room/kitchen, extensive offices, two meeting rooms, a private Travel Clinic and private Dental Suite. There are also rooms for District Nurses, Health Visitors, Midwife and Dietician.

An office/library, plant room and two self-contained flats are on the second floor.

All services were provided, including data, telecoms, CCTV security and alarm systems. External works included parking for 46 vehicles in a car park shared with the adjoining church.

Kitto Joinery Ltd manufactured the bespoke joinery.

The building project was completed to budget within 44 weeks and handed over two weeks early. The surgery became fully operational within 2 weeks.

Contract Value - £2.0m (incl. land and build)

Contract Period - 46 weeks (completed in 44 weeks)

Contacts:

• Dr Tim Coulson - Managing Partner
• Dr Sue Bailey - Practice Manager
• Tel: (0117) 970 1656

• Tim Scruton, (Clients Representative)
• GVA Grimley incorporating Osmond Tricks
• Tel: (0870) 900 8990