Girlington welcomes their new Surgery
The iconic Girlington Health Centre will open its doors to the public next week, the culmination of team working over 2 years including the Practice and Bradford & Airedale PCT. This striking building is a welcome new feature to the local landscape of Girlington, a community located to the north west of Bradford city centre. It offers excellent accommodation for both the Carlton Medical Practice and the Girlington Pharmacy. The contemporary design provides clinical rooms on both ground and first floor with a double height central atrium including a roof light which allows the building to be bathed in natural light. The rainbow glass within the first floor balustrading throws changing coloured patterns onto the waiting area walls offering a unique and calming environment, and a feature lighting display adds to the overall atmosphere of the building.
In total there are 7 consulting rooms, a treatment room and a large multi-purpose room suitable for a variety of clinics and group activities. In addition there is a first floor meeting room capable of subdividing with a folding wall offering flexible meeting, learning and training accommodation.
Carlton Medical Practice is a 3 GP practice serving over 6,000 patients within the inner city area of Bradford, a community which they have served for over 60 years. The building is sited just 50m from the original surgery on a site which previously was for many years an unused school playground.
The building benefits from 23 car parking spaces to the rear, a much needed improvement for accessibility and safety for both patients and staff. Additionally there are bicycle racks and a shower room for use by staff who may choose to cycle or walk to work.
The construction was completed by a local contractor Bermar Building to a BREEAM Excellent standard . The building has many energy saving aspects including 36 photovoltaic panels, roof mounted and south facing helping to reduce the energy demands of the building and reduce utility costs. The internal environment is naturally ventilated aided by automatically opening roof lights within the core central space and large openings within the glazed front elevation. The feature wooden fins on the front of the building continue through the glazed frontage into the main waiting area at high level adding interest and sound attenuating qualities.
Girlington Primary school, which is just 100m from the building, has been involved throughout the project , providing initially “safety” posters for the site’s hoarding and latterly two large colourful mosaic style drawings depicting the local community which are on display within each of the two main public corridors.
Graham Symonds, manager of the Carlton Medical Practice said:
“This stunning development provides 21st century facilities for the local community right on their doorstep.”