HEREFORD'S new super surgery was paid a visit by Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday.

Mr Johnson, who also visited Hereford County Hospital, was taken around the site by the developer Prime, MP Jesse Norman and GP partnership Hereford Medical Group.

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He was told that specialist private investors and pension funds can deliver excellent value and affordable health infrastructure, while Prime chairman Richard Laing suggested that it would be possible to deliver 1,000 centres like Hereford across the UK at a rental cost which would be less than 0.5% of the NHS budget.

The developers said Mr Johnson responded in agreement with “Why don’t we just do that?”.

Hereford Times:

Mr Johnson said: “It was fantastic to see this brand new GP surgery being built right here in Hereford.

“When it opens its doors this autumn, patients around the city and surrounding communities will benefit from excellent care and access to a number of services under one roof.”

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Prime chairman Richard Laing said: “This fabulous new investment in the City’s healthcare infrastructure is the physical manifestation of the integration of services made possible by HMG. As a Hereford resident myself, I am really pleased to be working locally after many years delivering healthcare projects across the UK.”

The Prime team worked closely with the Group as they re-imagined health delivery across Hereford, alongside NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire CCG. The building will support the very best in joined-up health and care services.”

The developers said the centre, which is due to be completed this autumn, will minimise energy usage, materials waste and reduce impact on the natural environment, while serving an estimated 35,000 patients across the city.