CONSTRUCTION work has started on a long-awaited new medical surgery which will create better facilities for thousands of patients in York city centre.

The complex redevelopment of Woolpack House, Peasholme Green, has been started by integrated design build company, Severfield-Reeve Projects, which was awarded the £1.1million contract by property company The Helmsley Group.

Severfield-Reeve Projects, based in Thirsk, is responsible for designing the new surgery which will see the existing faade of Woolpack House retained in a redevelopment of the existing building.

Jorvik Medical Practice, which has a 25-strong team, including eight doctors, is based in a 200-year-old terraced house in Peckitt Street, which is too small, regularly floods and has poor access and no parking. The practice will move into the new three-story, surgery building when it is handed over next Spring.

Facilities in the new 11,664sq ft medical centre will include ten consulting rooms, a minor surgery suite, two nurse treating rooms, a community nurses' room and two reception areas with associated offices.

Practice manager, Dana Homer, said: "We are delighted that work has started. The new medical centre will be far better- equipped and enable the practice to improve its service to its patients and the local community. In our existing premises, doctors have had to share consulting rooms which has limited the number of appointments we have been able to offer patients, but this will be resolved by the new centre."

Richard Peak, director of The Helmsley Group, said: "This is a much-needed facility for the local community and we are confident that Severfield-Reeve Projects has the experience and expertise to deliver exactly what is required.

"We have worked with both the district valuer and the planners to ensure that the facility is functional and meets all medical regulations, while incorporating a design that fits in with the surrounding environment."

Lindsay Ross, managing director of Thirsk-based Severfield-Reeve Projects, said: "It was a complex demolition and re-construction project.

"It follows our design and construction of the new Front Street Surgery in Acomb a year ago through which we gained experience of creating first-class medical facilities."

The York office of building consultants and surveyors Lightly & Lightly is acting as agents for The Helmsley Group on the scheme.

Updated: 14:36 Tuesday, December 16, 2003