THE development of a new £2.5 million GP surgery and health centre in Kendal is expected to be complete by the end of this year.

Last August, approval was given for plans for Captain French Lane Surgery to move to a purpose built new surgery on the site of the town’s former St. John Boste Social Club on Gillinggate.

The Captain French Lane Surgery currently serves 9,000 patients and has seven GPs. The facility will also provide more room for other health and community services including sexual health services.

The work has been undertaken as the surgery’s existing premises have become old and cramped as the practice has grown to accommodate more patients over the years.

Patients will be made aware when the surgery is due to formally move to the new site probably in early 2013.

Dr Daniel Hughes, a partner at Captain French Lane Surgery, said: “We are excited by the challenge of moving into the new premises. The much needed additional space will allow us to continue to provide a quality service to the expanding population of Kendal. We also hope there will be more collaborative space so we can work with local charities to provide more information for older people too."

Dr Alistair Mackenzie, NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group’s Lead GP for South Lakeland, said: “This new development is good news for residents across Kendal. This new health facility will not only provide a new modern home for one of our larger GP surgeries, but it will also provide more room for community based health services.”

The development is being managed by specialist healthcare developer GP Group, on behalf of NHS Cumbria, and the construction work is being undertaken by Globe Management Services Limited.