Topping Out milestone marks the halfway point for Grove View Development

The highest point of the new £43 million state-of-the-art Grove View Integrated Health and Care Hub and 98 new one and two-bedroom affordable homes for the over 55s has been completed, with NHS partners, councillors, Wilmot Dixon and project team members invited to mark the key milestone event.

Gathered on the four of the fourth storey hub building the ceremony commenced with speeches and was followed by the signing of a roof panel led by the Council’s Vice-Chairman Cllr. Gordon Perham and followed by Executive Members, NHS partners and stakeholders and guests.

In line with tradition a small yew tree was also taken to the top of the building to symbolise positive things and good luck to the future occupants and also to celebrate the important milestone in a building’s construction.

Work commenced on site in August 2021, with the aim that the new homes and the modern four-storey integrated health and care hub will be operational by Spring 2023. The new building will be the first integrated health and care hub in Central Bedfordshire and when the building opens it will provide a ‘one stop’ hub where people can access services seven days a week close to where they live making it more accessible, convenient and easier for our residents to use. The development is being funded by Central Bedfordshire Council with a contribution of £6.2m from the Housing Infrastructure Fund and £3.634 million from Homes England. The integrated health and care hub will bring together a broad range of services to support local people’s physical, social care and mental health need all under one roof. It will deliver on our ambitious plans for providing better care locally through the integration of primary care, community, mental health and social care services, as well as the provision of wellbeing services through the voluntary sector.

Cllr. Eugene Ghent, Executive Member for Housing and Assets commenting on the day said, “This is such an exciting milestone in the development process, and I am delighted to have been able to take part in the Topping Out Ceremony today.”

“Creating new housing options and, improving accommodation choices, is key to supporting older people to live independently for as long as possible.”

Cllr. Carole Hegley, Executive Member for Adult Social Care said, “ “We can now see the benefits of all the hard work that was put into the planning and significant investment into the integrated health and care hub. When the health and care hub opens in Spring 2023,  it will bring together a broad range of services to support local people’s physical, social care and mental health needs all under one roof.”

Cllr. Tracey Stock, Executive Member for Health & Wellbeing and Communities said, “The impact of this state-of-the-art health and social care hub is going to have on Dunstable and its’ surrounding villages will be huge. Grove View Integrated Health and Care Hub will be at the heart of delivering more joined-up care for our residents.”

Felicity Cox, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) Integrated Care System Executive Lead and BLMK CCG Accountable Officer said, “Today is a significant milestone in the integration of health and care services for the people of Dunstable and the surrounding area. The Grove View Hub is an important part of our local plans for how healthcare will be delivered in the future, greatly benefitting residents enabling them to access a range of services closer to home.”

David Carter, Chief Executive, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said, “It’s fantastic to see the progress made so far on the Integrated Health and Care Hub, as we collectively work together in providing an improved healthcare service for the local community.”

Chris Tredget, Managing Director at Willmott Dixon said, “We’re delighted to be celebrating the topping out milestone for Grove View Integrated Health and Care Hub and Grove View Apartments today with everyone involved in this fantastic project. Once completed the state-of-the-art facilities will make a real difference to the local community of Central Bedfordshire, we’re incredibly proud to be playing our part in delivering this project.”

The new building will see the creation of multiple clinical rooms, including GP and nurse consulting rooms, treatment rooms, clinical support spaces and office accommodation, as well as a reception and waiting area, a wheelchair accessible lift, baby changing area and buggy parking, a café and, adjacent car park.