DEMOLITION is likely to start within two months as work towards a GP super clinic progresses.
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Expressions of interest have been called for a mini-tender and the company behind the super clinic expects to sign a demolition contract within a month.
The former Lourdes Nursing Home administration area, one wing and the laundry will be demolished, with the remainder of the building to be renovated.
A building tender is also needed.
The work will transform the former nursing home in Clifton Drive into a state-of-the art medical centre.
The federal government sealed a $7 million agreement in 2011 with Rural and Metropolitan Health (Port Macquarie) to establish the super clinic.
Rural and Metropolitan Health (Port Macquarie) will have a firm timeline for the project after it signs off on the building tender.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council approved the development application late last year.
After-hours services, GP bulk billing and allied health care will operate from the Clifton Drive practice which is expected to open its doors in the first half of next year.
A partner with Rural and Metropolitan Health (Port Macquarie), Warwick Yonge, said internal renovations would make the building suitable for a high quality service.
The clinic will include 11 GP consulting rooms, three allied health rooms, and nine multi-purpose rooms.
There are also pathology and X-ray areas.
There will be almost 100 car parking spaces.
Dr Yonge said there had been no unexpected blow out to the budget.
“We are really excited about getting to the point where we have the development application [approved] and can start work on the building,” he said.
He said the development would significantly improve the unused building.
“It’s a facility that offers almost unlimited capacity to expand services and develop according to the community needs over the next 20 years,” Dr Yonge said.
The clinical service model would mean, for example, a patient’s diabetic management plan would have direct input from allied health professionals such as a podiatrist and diabetic educator.