Matthew Winn, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust which submitted the planning application on behalf of partners explained:
“This is fantastic news and is the first step in enabling partners to deliver our ambitious three year plan to modernise services, enable more joined-up care across health and social care services, and create facilities that will vastly improve the patient experience and the working environment for staff.
“Our priority now is to develop a full business case and secure the approximately £45 million funding required, which we will be seeking from Government capital funding. If successful, this would enable this important local development to be opened in Spring 2024.”
Commenting on the news, Debbie Smith, Director of Operations and System Partnerships, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust which delivers a range of services on site added:
“Subject to a successful funding bid, this development will enable services to be delivered from new, modern premises to replace out-dated facilities.
“Importantly, our dedicated rehabilitation unit will continue to be delivered on site, run by NHS staff and we will continue to engage clinicians to ensure they are at the heart of informing plans for the future design of this accommodation.”
Dr Richard Brixey, local GP and Clinical Lead for the Primary Care Network added:
“Our plans will be incredibly beneficial for local people, enabling all existing services to continue on site, alongside more day surgery, outpatient, and diagnostic services, closer to people’s homes.
“Our plans also include brand new accommodation for the Cathedral Medical Centre and for staff employed by the Ely Primary Care Networks, which will be co-located with urgent care services on site to support integrated working and enhanced primary care services.”
Claire Stoneham, Director of Strategy and Major Projects at Cambridge University Hospitals, said:
“This is a very welcome step towards creating a fantastic new facility in the east of our county. We look forward to working closely with our healthcare partners across the region to place patient-centred care at the heart of this project.”
Jan Thomas, Joint Executive Lead for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System (ICS), added:
“This is an exciting development for our new Integrated Care System. The redevelopment would bring care closer to people’s homes, creating more physical space on site to meet the needs of our growing and ageing population. It could also create an opportunity to harness new digital technology to deliver modern healthcare services to local people in the heart of our area.”
Commenting on the successful planning application, Lucy Frazer MP for South East Cambridgeshire said: “Ensuring that first-class health services are available within close proximity is a critical local need. To ensure this, it is vital that we expand access to services to those in and around Ely. I am extremely pleased to hear that outline planning application has been granted. I look forward to continuing to engage with local organisations as they develop their plans, and will make every effort to secure the necessary funding at a national level.”
Councillor Anna Bailey, Leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council welcomed the Planning Committee’s decision:
“Granting outline planning permission is an important milestone but there is much work yet to do to secure the full funding needed. The District Council is looking forward to receiving an application from the NHS for Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding where we hope to make a contribution towards the £45 million costs. East Cambridgeshire residents need and deserve this facility and I pledge to continue to do all I can to see this to fruition.”
