Construction of a new healthcare centre and school on the Dulwich Community Hospital site is set to begin within weeks, the NHS has confirmed.
The plans will see a new NHS healthcare centre built on the existing site on East Dulwich Grove to provide joined-up GP and community health services from the same location.
Patients will be able to access community mental health services, physiotherapy, dialysis, care for patients with long-term conditions, children’s services and some diagnostics at the new centre.
This means that patients with one or more long-term conditions like diabetes or heart disease can receive treatment in one location rather than attending multiple appointments in different locations.
The redevelopment plans were approved on May 1, 2018 and construction is expected to be completed in April 2020.
Alongside the new health centre, a new secondary school, The Charter School East Dulwich is also being built on the site.
The school, currently based in temporary accommodation in Peckham, will move to the site once complete and aims to teach up to 1,680 pupils.
The plans were agreed by Community Health Partnerships, NHS Southwark Clinical Commissioning Group, The Charter Schools Educational Trust and Southwark Council.
Angela Dawe, Joint Director for Operations and Strategic Development, Adult Local Services at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This new centre will bring the care that our patients need closer to where they live and in a location that suits them.
“It means that our staff can work on site with our partners and GP services, in a joined up way, to provide the best possible care.”
Alex Crossman, Head Teacher, The Charter School East Dulwich said: “We are delighted to hear the health centre project is progressing.
“We look forward to completing our school development alongside to create a wonderful new development for health and education in our community.”