The £814,000 CHP joint-funded variation at The Child and Family Health Centre in Barking, east London, is now complete, with new services in operation.
The health centre, which opened in 2009, provides a wide range of community health services across three storeys.
But, over the past few years, the need for improved healthcare delivery within the local area has been highlighted.
Working with LIFT partners, Barking Dagenham Havering Community Ventures and GB Partnerships, Community Health Partnerships supported North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT) and Barking and Dagenham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) – now NHS North East London Integrated Care Board (ICB) – on the much-needed improvements.
The project sought to build upon the work and services already delivered to date.
And the remodelling of thespace has enabled the relocation of healthcare services that were previously delivered in poorly-maintained and inadequate facilities, into the health centre.
The new variation also means all children’s services can be delivered under one roof, as well as providing access to other healthcare services on site.
The project created space for service delivery, such as recognising the requirement for privacy and quiet space, and identifying services that should not operate side by side for safeguarding reasons.
It has also created greater efficiencies across the building and utilised existing space to its maximum potential.
A reduction in disused space means new services can be introduced to complement current departments.Kibria Karim from North East London Foundation Trust said: “The new office space reconfiguration on the second floor has made a huge different to our teams and in the way we work.
“The three new meeting rooms mean we can now conduct confidential meetings in a safe environment, and the larger room will be utilised as a video conferencing room, which means we will be able to hold larger national meetings with our colleagues remotely.
“Our clinicians are pleased with the new work environment, with the added bonus of the new air conditioning unit, which will help in the warm summer months.”
