Grand opening for GP surgery

Councillor Susan Griggs, the Mayor of Tiverton, attended an evening event to celebrate the completion of the new £1.8m extension to Clare House Surgery located in Newport Street, Tiverton.

The substantial building programme which has significantly increased the size of the surgery was overseen by lead consultants Haldons Limited and built by contractors Morgan Sindall.

More than 100 guests, including Clare House staff, patients and supporters attended the event, enjoying canapés and wine.

Dr Frank O’Kelly, Senior Partner gave a welcome address advising that Clare House has always been known to give an excellent service to patients and the expansion has now created an environment that includes a clinical suite and additional healthcare facilities that will ensure a primary care service for the future.

This was followed by a number of presentations by keynote speakers including a few words from the Mayor.

Cllr Griggs said: "Tiverton is a busy and social town and I am very pleased that we have such a wonderful surgery in our town centre as it is vital to the local community.  I wish everyone who works here every success and well done to the consultants for the fabulous design and all their hard work.”

The project came in on time and within budget with Mark Coton of Construction Consultants, Haldons Ltd as the lead consultant.

Mark presented a talk outlining the phases and complexities of the project showing before and after photographs.  He said: "Clare House Surgery is a Grade II Listed Building dating back to the seventeenth century and as a result was a challenging project.

We employed Jerry Kent an architect based in Barnstaple, who dealt with the Listed Building issues which included archaeology trenches to check antiquities and also the planning permission.  The historic boundary walls had to be re-constructed and the ground conditions were poor coupled with being the wettest winter for 250 years which Dave Pearce of Morgan Sindall and his team dealt with brilliantly.  I also would like to thank Linda Bent the Business Development Manager and all the Clare House team for their patience throughout the build.”