News / bedminster
Former bank and bookies could be turned into new ‘health hub’
Two thousand places for new dental patients could be created if plans go ahead for a new ‘health hub’ in south Bristol.
Depending on securing NHS funding, up to half those new patients could be NHS as Omega Dental look to relocate from their current base on North Street to a new site on the corner of East Street and Cannon Street.
Plans submitted to Bristol City Council for the the new dentists are part of a proposed redevelopment of the former HSBC and William Hill, and also the next door Bedminster Pharmacy.
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If planning permission is granted, the redevelopment would see the three current buildings replaced with a new ground floor health centre and pharmacy, with 60 co-living flats above.
Developer Tariq Muhammad estimates that the new health hub will be opening in 2026.
The curved facade of the former bank would be retained within the new health hub – photo: Martin Booth
Omega Dental’s Stefanos Kyriakidis called the proposed health hub “really exciting”.
He said: “The plans will allow us to have more dentists, more treatment rooms and take on more patients.”
Kyriakidis said that the number of new private and NHS patients “are really significant increases at a time when so many people are desperate for NHS dental care, with the system under enormous pressure”.
He said: “We’ve made a much-loved home in our current building. But it is clearly less than ideal, with stairs and poor access for our patients with limited mobility. We also simply need more space to serve more patients.
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Green Party councillor for Southville ward, Christine Townsend, added: “By far the biggest concern from residents regarding the planned housing developments in Southville is the need for increased community-based healthcare provision.
“This announcement regarding NHS dental refurbishment and expansion is great news for both existing patients and those new to the area.
“Difficulties in accessing dental services is a national crisis, with tooth extraction being the biggest cause of children under-ten being admitted to hospital in 2023.”
Towsend said that she and her fellow Green councillor, Tony Dyer, “have worked over many months to bring together the various moving parts required to expand the dental service in BS3”.
She added: “We continue to support this initiative and congratulate Omega in reaching this latest milestone that aims to see improved dental services for the BS3 area.”
Main image: Quattro Architects
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