A MEDICAL practice has reassured patients it is still “business as usual” after plans to expand one its surgery buildings were approved.

The second proposal to increase the size of the Banks and Bearwood Medical Practice facility in Knights Road, Bearwood, was recently given the green light by BCP Council.

A statement as part of the documents submitted to the local authority said The Banks Medical Centre in Winton is closing, however, the large practice insists the Wimborne Road premises will continue to operate “for the foreseeable future”.

A spokesperson for the Banks and Bearwood Medical Practice said: “We are pleased that our planning application has been approved, however, we are at the very early stages of our plans to extend the current surgery building.

“The proposals include modernising and expanding the current medical facilities at our Bearwood Medical Centre site.

“We would like to reassure patients registered with us across both our Banks and Bearwood Medical Practice sites that it is very much business as usual as we work on the plans; with the site at Banks continuing to provide the same range of services for the foreseeable future whilst we work on these building improvements.”

The scheme for the existing medical centre in Knights Road involve creating a link to an empty first floor area of the adjoining Co-op store.

The expansion will provide five more consulting rooms, two extra treatment rooms a dedicated phlebotomy room and additional administration, meeting and waiting space.

It was said the practice is expecting to see new housing developments in the area create a need to support around 4,000 new patients.

A report by council planning officer Monika Kwiatkowska said: “The scheme would support the provision of enhanced medical services in the area. The need of the proposed expansion of the existing surgery is recognised and supported.

“The proposal would complement the character and appearance of the existing building and the wider context of the area.”

On The Banks Medical Centre, the officer said: “For reasons connected to the availability of that building and its condition the Winton facility is no longer fit for purpose with its lease coming to an end and a community benefit would be achieved in creating a more modern surgery on the Bearwood site.”

The Banks and Bearwood Medical Practice said they would keep patients informed as work is progressed in the months and years ahead.

Any patients with questions have been advised to contact the practice.

The spokesperson added: “We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank our patients for their continuing support and understanding for our hard working practice teams.”

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