front elevation of the newport health centre

Planning permission granted for state-of-the-art GP surgery at Riverway House, Newport

Planning permission has been granted to transform Riverway House in Newport into a state-of-the-art GP surgery. This marks a significant step forward.

The new facility, operated by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, is set to complement the Trust’s existing surgery at Wootton Bridge, which will remain open.

Together, the two sites aim to provide patients with improved access to care, more appointment availability and updated facilities in line with NHS goals for modernising primary care.

Enhanced services across two locations
The same dedicated, Island-based practice team will work across both sites, ensuring continuity of care for all patients.

The new Riverway House facility will feature modern consultation rooms, step-free access for patients with mobility needs and additional parking, enhancing convenience for visitors.

Feedback helped shape the development
Feedback from patients, gathered during engagement sessions in Spring 2024, has been instrumental in shaping the development.

Key themes included the need for better accessibility, sufficient parking, and modern, welcoming facilities—all of which have been incorporated into the new design.

Voices from the Team
Eugene Jones, Chief Operating Officer at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, expressed enthusiasm for the project. He said,

“We are thrilled to bring a modern GP facility to Newport while continuing to provide high-quality care at Wootton Bridge.

“Patients will benefit from a more accessible, comfortable environment, including step-free access, with services that meet the needs of our community.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support and feedback from patients, which has been key in guiding this development.”

Brett: An exciting development for our practice and our patients
Simone Brett, Business Manager at Medina Healthcare, shared similar sentiments. She said,

“This is an exciting development for our practice and our patients.

“Retaining the Wootton Bridge surgery while introducing a modern facility in Newport is of key importance—this is what patients and residents told us throughout our public engagement work. Thank you to everyone who is part of making this work a reality.”

Looking ahead
The Riverway House surgery is expected to open in summer 2025. Once operational, plans for any necessary improvements to the Wootton Bridge site will be carefully considered to further enhance healthcare delivery on the island.

These developments underline the Trust’s commitment to providing accessible, high-quality healthcare for the Isle of Wight community, ensuring patients of all ages receive the best possible care.

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Stuart George
24, January 2025 7:25 pm

What about those patients without access to a car? Improved parking won’t help them.

VentnorLad
Reply to  Stuart George
24, January 2025 10:32 pm

I wonder how granting planning permission for a healthcare facility that some people see as inaccessible without a car fits in with the Council’s commitment to improving public transport accessibility and active travel to promote their aim of carbon neutrality?

Benny C
Reply to  Stuart George
25, January 2025 9:07 am

This speaks to a much more strategic point. A state of the art surgery is only going to contribute at the level its description suggests if it’s run by state of the art well funded experts. This story smacks of either a good strategy badly communicated ( I.e. an incomplete story and lost opportunity to engage intelligently with islanders / voters) or it’s not been thought through… Read more »

Rhos yr Alarch
24, January 2025 10:06 pm

I’m getting a bit lost. First the Riverway surgery was just going to be temporary whilst the Wootton one was re-built. Then the Wootton surgery was going to close completely, after which suddenly it wasn’t, which seemed like very good news. But does it no longer need to be re-built, and how come it now seems to be possible to have a surgery in both locations when… Read more »

charlie197
24, January 2025 10:25 pm

Sounds very good news. Meanwhile us in Sandown cannot get an appointment to see a Dr.
Hubby has hurt his back, his leg gives out or he can’t stand up, all he could get was a telephone appointment… Great he can see his back etc through our phone…. !!!! Oh and still had to wait for 3 weeks for that appointment.

VentnorLad
24, January 2025 10:28 pm

No mention of any strategy to encourage more GP’s, Practice Nurses, Pharmacists, Paramedics, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Community Psychiatric Nurses or any of the other myriad professionals required to choose the Isle of Wight as a place to live and work? There is a nationwide shortage of clinicians. That issue needs to be addressed head on. Modern buildings are all very well, but when I need healthcare I’d… Read more »

bones
Reply to  VentnorLad
26, January 2025 2:23 pm

Very true Ventnor lad. By the time local staff have left present workplaces and rushed to a ‘state of the art ‘ replacement surgery our usual surgeries will be empty.

bones
26, January 2025 2:14 pm

I hope this building has another entrance or those with dodgy mobility won’t be able to get in !

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