New £9m. Burnley urgent care centre plans unveiled

The building, due to open in autumn 2013, will replace the existing urgent care centre. It will include a children’s minor illness unit and a GP out-of-hours service, if plans, which have been submitted to Burnley Council, are approved.

Health campaigners have branded the ambitious project excellent news for Burnley and work is expected to start on site next month.

In March, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley announced a bid for government cash from East Lancashire Hospitals Trust had been a success.

Work will be carried out by national company Kier Construction, who have already been told the position and layout of the new two-storey centre by hospital bosses.

It will be sited next to Phase V and accessed through the Briercliffe Road entrance with link corridors between Phase V to the new building. It will also have its own car parking facilities.

MP Gordon Birtwistle said: “I think it’s a major investment into Burnley and the pictures look absolutely brilliant. This is something I’ve been campaigning for for more than four years.

“We’ve got 90% of our emergency facilities back. People said it would never happen.”

Mr Martin Morgan, director of estates and facilities at the Trust, said: “I am delighted the robust selection procedure has led to the selection of Kier Construction as our partner to deliver the new unit.

“The timescales we have set ourselves are challenging but the progress we have made to date has been good. The new facility represents the Trust’s continued commitment to the development of the Burnley General Hospital site and I look forward to working with Kier Construction in providing the quality building and environment we need for the patients, visitors and staff in East Lancashire.”

Mr Garry Bowker, of Kier Construction, added: “We are delighted to have been selected as the Trust’s partner to deliver this important project at Burnley General Hospital.

“The layout and design of the new integrated urgent care centre will enable the very best patient care and patient experience to be provided in modern, therapeutic surroundings.

“Kier Construction will utilise their national experience of designing and delivering urgent care facilities to deliver a first class urgent care centre and children’s minor illness unit that the people of East Lancashire can be proud of and benefit from for many years to come.”