A GP says he will use new powers given to doctors to set up a long-awaited new health centre in Rainham Village.

After years of wrangling and discussion about a new centre between various bodies who oversee healthcare, Dr Ron Adur says he’s going to use commissioning powers that come into effect next year to set up the centre.

His plan is for a centre that will have a catchment area of 10,000 patients, “five or six” GPs on site, and other health facilities, as well as training facilities for new doctors and nurses.

Excited

He said: “We’re going to do what has been talked about for the last 15 years. I’ve been planning it for three months and should be able to buy the land in the next week to 10 days.

“It will be in the centre of the village, with excellent transport links and facilities. The village will get its heart back.”

As part of his plan, his surgery in Berwick Road will move to the site, as will another local GP, and there will be other facilities on site.

Patients at existing GP surgeries won’t need to sign-up with the centre as new, but will be transferred to the same doctor at the new centre, which is hoped to be open in about one year’s time.

He hopes to gain planning permission by the autumn, with work to begin soon afterwards.

Cllr Jeff Tucker (Independent Residents’ Group, Rainham and Wennington) said: “This is one of the best pieces of news I’ve ever heard in my time as a councillor.

“Rainham Village has been waiting for years and years for a promised new health centre.

“I’m really excited about it, it will be fantastic news for the village, and with one man overseeing it, rather than different partnerships, I believe it will work.”

Cllr Tucker has asked that Dr Adur and other members of staff involved in the new centre to be part of the Olympic Torch Relay parade in Rainham Village on Sunday.