Long awaited healthy living centre in Chatham given £15 million approval
Plans to convert the Pentagon Shopping Centre go ahead
Ambitions plans to convert part of a mall into a healthy living centre have been signed off and will be named after one of the county’s most prominent public health experts.
The first floor of the Pentagon Shopping Centre in Chatham will now become a medical centre following approval from NHS Kent and Medway.
First proposed in 2021, the £15million suite aims to support residents to access a greater range of services and clinics than a typical GPs surgery.
The Chatham location was chosen because of its higher than national average deprivation levels and the anticipation of increased pressures in the near future because of population growth and ageing.
The NHS has contributed £13.4million, and Medway Council are responsible for refurbishing the first floor of the shopping centre.
The health hub will be named the James Williams Health Centre after the authority’s director of public health who passed away in May after a short illness.
A former Olympic fencer and respected public health official, Mr Williams was appointed to the directorship in 2017 and led the Towns’ response to the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as driving initiatives to improve the general health of residents.
Maritime Health Partnership, who currently operate a surgery on the ground floor of the Pentagon, will move to the first floor when work is completed – which is expected to be next year.
The Bryant Street Medical Centre will also relocate to the new hub from its current location around the same time.
It will be managed by Medway Community Healthcare and is expected to open next year.
Medway Council’s deputy leader and portfolio holder for public health Cllr Teresa Murray (Lab) said: “We are delighted that we are one step closer to opening a first-class health facility in Chatham town centre, providing high-quality care in an easy to access location.
“I am honoured to confirm that the new centre is being named after our late director of public health, James Williams.
“James was an inspirational figure and huge driving force behind improving health outcomes across Medway, as well as addressing health inequalities across the south east.
“The James Williams Healthy Living Centre will stand as a fitting tribute to his work and aspirations, and is a big step towards helping to reduce health inequality and improving the health and wellbeing of residents in Medway.
“I look forward to seeing this exciting project start to take shape over the next year.”