I welcome NHS Property Service’s launch of an Open Space site at Aylesham Health Centre. The site can now be used by health and wellbeing providers, community groups and local businesses in Dover at an affordable rate. Dover will be one of the 49 new sites being opened across the country.
The NHS Open Space scheme offers clinical and non-clinical spaces for hire on an hourly, daily or sessional basis, with greater flexibility and choice at an affordable price. Users only pay for the time and space they need. It also makes better use of the NHS estate, driving money back into the health service at a critical time.
I welcome this new initiative, and very much look forward to the benefits it will bring not only to Health and Wellbeing professionals, but community groups and businesses, which form the backbone of our area.
Previously underused space in NHS Property Services’ portfolio will be put to good use, and I am delighted to hear that the proceeds of the scheme will be reinvested into the NHS.
Aylesham Health Centre has been such a valuable asset throughout the pandemic, being used as a vaccination centre last year, and I’m delighted this space will be available for others to benefit from.
I continue to fight for improved healthcare provision for our area, as well as supporting sensible initiatives such as this, that help us continue to modernise and make every pound and penny count for the NHS.