New health centre provider named

The new clinic will open early next year in Norwich's Castle Mall

A new £2m GP-led health centre is to open in a Norfolk shopping centre in the spring or early summer next year.

NHS Norfolk has said Norwich Practices Ltd is the preferred provider for new walk-in and appointment medical services at the Castle Mall centre.

Other specialist services such as minor surgery, sexual health advice, blood testing, childhood immunisations and smoking cessation, will be provided.

The practice will be open from 0700 until 2100 GMT 365 days a year.

GP appointments will be from 0800 to 2000 GMT.

Dr John Battersby, director for primary care, said: "Norwich Practices Ltd (NPL) is a collective of 15 established NHS practices in Norwich with a long history of providing high quality primary care services to patients.

"They presented a robust bid that impressed the panel for its focused and well thought-out proposal."

The planned location for the new centre within Castle Mall is subject to "change of use" planning permission for the premises being secured.

A decision on the application is expected to be taken within eight to 10 weeks and, if successful, the new centre could open as soon as late spring or early summer 2009.

"The Castle Mall is regarded as an ideal site for the centre as it located at the heart of public transport routes for people living within the city, for commuters from surrounding towns and villages, for tourists and at times of public holidays," Dr Battersby said.

One hour of free car parking will also be available for patients.