Provide Community moves into new Livewell hub in Braintree

Provide Community has moved into the new Livewell hub in Manor Street.

The Livewell hub forms part of Braintree Council’s Victoria Square town centre regeneration project.

(Picture: Steve Brading) (Image: Steve Brading)

The new hub has the capacity to deliver health services to 20,000 patients from Braintree and the neighbouring areas.

Provide Community has signed a contract to lease the hub from the council.

The new hub consists of a range of clinical spaces including consultation, therapy and treatment rooms, space to support virtual consultations as well as a large reception area, meeting room and a Changing Places facility.

The Changing Places facility is the first of its type in a mid Essex NHS premises and includes a hoist and other fixtures that allow adults with severely limited mobility and profound learning disabilities to access a toilet or have continence pads changed in a dignified and safe way.

There is also an ambulance bay or drop-off zone and car parking for staff.

Provide will offer a range of healthcare services to patients, including sexual health, speech and language therapy and pulmonary care clinics.

The organisation will also treat the patients referred to it from the five GP surgeries in the area and for some of its services from further afield.

(Picture: Steve Brading) (Image: Steve Brading)

Negotiations to include GP services are advancing but are yet to conclude.

The Livewell hub is currently only open to patients with referrals.

Braintree Council assets boss Kevin Bowers said: “We know how important good quality, modern and accessible healthcare facilities are to residents, patients and the local community.

“The new Livewell hub is a first-class facility which will give thousands of residents access to a wide range of integrated health and wellbeing services.

“Our investment into this asset will have a positive impact on our town centre and local communities for many years to come.”