Page 26 - P4304.1-V112_PS Magazine - August 25 (print) (1)

Modernising General

Practice premises

Edward Rigby
Edward is a PSUK member and Managing Partner of Malpas
Surgery, in southwest Cheshire. Malpas are a dispensing doctors,
an early PMR adopter, and have recently completed an NHS
Improvement Grant funded building project. Edward writes and
speaks about all things General Practice, recently presenting
on the topic of Navigating Improvement Grant Projects at
Management in Practice Newcastle and Manchester. In this article,
Edward gives his insights and top tips on modernising his premises.

A fit-for-future practice needs a fit-for-future programme of extension and modernisation
premises from which to operate. For many to future-fit their partner owned premises
however, fit-for-future is a far-off fantasy, for the next 10-15 years. Managing Partner,
with a fit-for-purpose surgery building being Edward Rigby shares the experience with top
the greater concern. tips to support other practices with their own
premises improvement projects.
Driven by a desire for general practice to see
more patients, in the Autumn of 2024
HM Government announced the £102 Motivation for change
million NHS Primary Care Utilisation and Many practices are motivated to improve
Modernisation Fund, as a new capital funding their buildings due to a lack of space to see
stream, alongside Business-as-Usual capital patients. Malpas Surgery was no different, but
(aka Improvement Grant Funding). there were other factors too:
• Poor welfare facilities
With more capital funding in the system, • Poor thermal properties
many practices are working up plans to • Admin offices overlooked for clinical
improve room improvements
their premises by remodelling and repurposing
internal space, as well as extending existing • Infection control risks of
buildings to provide more room for their teams carpets throughout
and their patients. • Other health services leaving the site.

But what does it take, not only to prepare for, To improve the service offering to patients,
but to deliver a large-scale capital estates and the working environment for staff,
project in General Practice? In November a change was needed. And that change
2022 Malpas Surgery, a dispensing doctors required a lot of money.
in Cheshire, embarked on a £1.8 million

Top tip 1: Have a clear vision about what
you want to achieve. That focus will help push
through the more challenging days.

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26 PS Magazine | MDS Terms Informationactice premises Buy direct online at PSUK.co.uk
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