DOCTORS in South Lakeland have welcomed news that a new £2.5 million surgery and health centre in Kendal should be completed by the end of this year.

Plans were approved last year for Captain French Lane Surgery to move to a purpose-built new centre on the site of the town’s former John Boste Social Club on Gillinggate.

It will serve 9,000 patients and house seven GPs – and will also provide more room for other health and community functions including sexual health services.

Dr Daniel Hughes, a partner at the surgery, said: “We are excited by the challenge of moving into the new premises. The 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 because this new facility will not only provide a new modern home for one of our larger GP surgeries, but 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.