MAJOR refurbishment work is set to begin at an award-winning doctors’ surgery in Padiham next week, which should make it easier for patients to make an appointment.

The work at Padiham Group Practice is expected to last for 12 weeks, but doctors said the surgery will be open as usual.

The project will mean an extra junior doctor can be offered a placement during their final year of training, which will enable more appointments to be offered.

It will also improve access to the premises for disabled patients and provide better clinical facilities and upgraded offices. The flooring will be replaced with hospital approved safety flooring and new seating will adhere to infection control policies, while a new disabled toilet will also be built on the ground floor.

Last year the surgery received a GP Enterprise Award, while practice doctor Dr James Fleming was named GP of the Year, which recognised the success of its Green Dreams Project, which has helped hundreds of patients suffering with isolation and unemployment issues.

Dr Munro Donald, senior partner, said: “We are delighted to be able to make a significant investment into the premises, not only for the benefit of our patients but also for our team of hardworking staff.

“The refurbishment will make such a difference to the services we will be able to offer. For example, we are having a new community/clinical room so that patients will be able to see a range of health professionals in the surgery including health visitors, social workers, and specialist nurses.”

Lisa Cunliffe, primary care development manager at East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “I am pleased that the practice wants to provide the best possible environment for their patients.

“The re-design will make much more efficient use of the building’s internal space and give it a new lease of life including fit for purpose facilities. As we move to provide more care closer to people’s homes this will allow clinicians to deliver high quality patient care in a more modern healthcare setting.”