Signposting Future Health Development

Primary healthcare (treatment of all kinds, short of admission to a general hospital) now accounts for around 80% of all NHS activity and this is set to increase, as medical techniques evolve.

The concept behind the Aldershot Centre for Health follows the government’s NHS Plan, published in 2000 and still a principal strategy document. The Plan envisages one-stop multi-purpose primary healthcare centres, with GP surgeries as the nucleus but bringing a range of other treatment facilities under one roof to achieve economies of scale and greater convenience for patients.

ACH goes a step further by providing, in addition, outpatient facilities for a nearby NHS Hospital Trust, facilities for a local NHS Mental Health Trust, administrative offices and a retail pharmacy.

Moreover, it is also providing medical facilities for the nearby Aldershot Garrison, traditional home of the British Army. These include 20 beds, for military personnel recovering from surgery or illness who might otherwise add to bed blocking at the general hospital, where costs per bed are higher.

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