Ageing and overcrowded GP surgeries throughout the Bradford district are to be replaced by modern health centres in a £60 million project.

The new premises will provide a wider range of health services, such as minor surgery and diagnostic treatment - including ultrasound scans - nearer to people's homes.

The Lift project - which stands for Local Improvement Finance Trust - will take 25 years to complete.

Phase One will see 24 GP practices move into new accommodation with more room for at least 13 more GPs, premises for minor surgery and accommodation for teaching and training for the doctors of tomorrow.

Project director Andrew Gunnee said: "We know that patients are unhappy with many of the current facilities. They are looking for services which are conveniently located, in buildings which are safe and easy to access and where they can use a range of services under one roof."

He said the district's four Primary Care Trusts - Airedale, Bradford City, Bradford South and West and North Bradford - which are responsible for providing healthcare, were among the first in the country to use the new funding investment in healthcare premises.

"We are blazing a trail as we embark upon this scheme which will significantly improve the quality of primary care premises and will mean many millions of pounds of investment in our area," said Mr Gunnee..

The Lift project will be a public/private partnership, set up as a limited company. Shareholders will include the local NHS and the Department of Health as well as the private sector.

The project has already advertised for a partner from the private sector and three companies will be shortlisted and asked to design some of the first phase schemes, on which they will be assessed.

It is hoped to have a partner in place and to have established the Lift company by December with building work starting shortly afterwards.

As a shareholder, the NHS will share in any profits which will then be reinvested in health care.

Residents are being urged to have their say and take part in designing the new buildings.

Project manager Alison Smith said: "We would like to involve the patients who will use these buildings, as well as the staff who will work in them."

A leaflet about the project, with information about where to send ideas, is available by contacting Alison Smith on (01274) 322982 or by e-mailing Asmith2@bradford.nhs.uk

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