BUILDING work will get underway this month on the new South Trafford Health and Well-being Centre on the site of the former Altrincham Hospital.

Health chiefs say the £20m centre is a vital element of plans to revamp GP and community health services across the borough.

The centre will boast GP health services; a mix of community services and therapies; a pharmacy; and clinical suites and training areas, including a minor surgery suite.

There will also be a ground-breaking facility, the Trafford Co-ordination Centre (TCC). This service will work with GPs to deliver a new approach to healthcare and link up health and social care services across the borough.

A new Altrincham Library and Tourist Information Centre will also be opened on the Market Street site, which has laid empty since services were relocated to the purpose-built Altrincham Hospital on Railway Street in 2015.

Gina Lawrence, chief operating officer at Trafford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “The new build is part of a wider plan to modernise GP and community health services across the borough, in order to provide more joined-up services for residents.

"I’d like to extend our thanks to all neighbouring businesses and residents for their support throughout demolition. This is a really exciting time for the area and we love seeing the excitement build for the project.”

Construction of the centre will commence at the end of February, following the appointment of the main contractor Bowmer and Kirkland (B&K).

Trafford CCG and Trafford Council are working with Citybranch Ltd on the four-floor development, which has been designed by AFL Architects.

B&Ks first task will be to remove the existing hospital sub-structure and construct an underground car park with 100 spaces, five disabled bays and a cycle store.

Hale-based demolition contractors, McAuliffe’s, recently completed the demolition of the old Altrincham hospital on the site, to make way for the new centre.

John McAuliffe, managing director at McAuliffe, said: “We’d like to thank local businesses and residents for their cooperation throughout the project. Their support has been invaluable in helping us to work efficiently, while preserving a little piece of local history.”

If neighbours and residents have any questions or comments about the build during development, contact the site manager, Matthew Bolton, via email m.bolton@bandk.co.uk or call 07740 050 976.

The Health and Well-being Centre is due to open in summer 2018.