Healthcare in the town received a massive boost today as NHS bosses accepted recommendations which could see a new building for the town’s Central Surgery.

The Central Surgery, in Hamilton Road, has sent numerous business plans and proposals to move their surgery since February 2009 so they can improve their care.

And after submitting four proposals to create a new surgery in the town, NHS Suffolk have now accepted recommendations for a new build, which includes financing of more than �800,000.

The current premises has been described as one of the county’s “poorest quality surgery premises” as it is only one-third of the size it should be and it is very cramped, cold, decaying and leaking, and it is used to care for 16,000 patients.

The news today though means the town is one step closer to securing a state-of-the-art surgery as the NHS agreed to conditionally support the plans for a new building.

A spokesman for NHS Suffolk said: “The NHS Suffolk board has agreed to conditionally support the business case submission by Central Surgery for a new building.

“NHS Suffolk will work with the surgery in securing agreement for this development from the Strategic Health Authority and ensure that as the project develops over the coming months it continues to offer value for money.”

The recommendations that have now been accepted by the board will see �864,000 pumped into plans on the condition that the Bartlet is sold.

NHS Suffolk has also agreed to assist in securing agreement from the Strategic Health Authority to progress the development.

The new development will create an opportunity to bring primary care and other community services under one roof. It is hoped a new build will allow doctors to provide more services and will improve disabled access.

Staff at Central Surgery did not wish to comment on the news.

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