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Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal opened a new chapter in the 150-year relationship between the Army and the people of Aldershot when she visited the site of the primary health care centre that they will share.
The Princess Royal planted a tree on the site where work on the Aldershot Centre for Health is due to start in late summer after Blackwater Valley and Hart Primary Care Trust Board agreed all the key principles of the deal with a local company, the Wilky Group.
At over 134,000 sq ft it is likely to be the largest primary health care centre in the UK.
Wilky have designed the centre to meet the latest requirements of the NHS and the Army. They will also finance and construct the building, finishing in mid ’06, and maintain it for the next 30 years. It will then be handed over to the NHS and the Army for a nominal £1.
Debbie Glenn, PCT Chief Executive, said: “Her Royal Highness took a keen interest in this exciting and innovative arrangement, which will use private funding to provide vastly improved health facilities for the people of Aldershot.”
Colonel Stephen Oxlade, Aldershot Garrison Commander, said: “We are delighted that the Princess Royal visited the site and look forward to the final negotiations being concluded and construction starting.”
Malcolm Young, Wilky Chief Executive, said: “We must acknowledge the commitment and support the project has received from the PCT and the Army, and from local organisations including the Aldershot Civic Society and the local community at large.”
The scheme will include the three GP surgeries based in the existing Aldershot Health Centre, an enhanced range of ‘one-stop shop’ facilities which will provide modern primary care facilities as well as improved outpatient amenities, pharmacy, dentistry and diagnostics. This will allow patients to receive a variety of treatment in one visit. The centre will also include Army primary care services.
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