Plans submitted for new £4m medical centre to 'transform' healthcare in one of Leeds' most deprived areas

The proposed three-storey health centre would be the new base for North Leeds Medical Practice and if approved, would be build close to Asda Harehills supermarket.

The practice is currently located on Milan Street in a 1920s end-terrace which does not adhere to clinical guidance on size, safety or patient experience, according to Leeds-based MGI Healthcare Developments who are behind the plans.

It said the centre’s patient list of almost 10,000 is growing each year and the practice already struggles to deliver key services and has already shifted training and back office functions to its more modern Harrogate Road site.

A letter of support sent to planners on behalf of the North Leeds Medical Practice GP partnership said these issues mean if suitable premises cannot be found, the practice would be forced to close "with our circa 10,000 patient list having no obvious place to go due to the already limited provision of primary are services in the area".

Dr Marcus Julier, the practice’s managing GP partner, said: “In our current premises, it’s becoming impossible for us to operate and the new centre will enable us to deliver the standards of healthcare our patients deserve.”

The new building will include the GP surgery and a retail pharmacy, plus space to deliver additional community health services.

Both Harehills and Burmantofts were highlighted by the NHS Leeds CCG (Clinical Care Group) as two of several deprived areas in the city which are facing growing health inequality.

In the action plan released in 2020, it was revealed that the life expectancy for men in the city’s most deprived areas is 11.5 years lower than those living in the least deprived and for women, the gap is 9.4 years. (Figures from Public Health England).

Rohin Dhand, CEO of MGI Healthcare said: “The statistics on life expectancy and health outcomes for people living in Harehills and Burmantofts are to me, unacceptable.

“Through the development of new healthcare facilities which are fit for purpose and serve the needs of their communities, we want to see better outcomes for everyone in Leeds, regardless of their postcode.

“We aim to invest £30m in healthcare over the next 5 years and as a local business, we’re committed to delivering modern, innovative healthcare premises right here in Leeds, which properly serve the people who need them.”

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