The two local MPs have visited Worthing town hall to view the plans for a new state-of-the-art healthcare centre planned for the town centre.
Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, and Sir Peter Bottomly, MP for Worthing West, were shown the plans for the Worthing Integrated Care Centre (WICC) by Leader of Worthing Council, Cllr Daniel Humphreys, and Cllr Kevin Jenkins, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration.
The £34 million WICC and a multi-storey car park are to be funded by Worthing Borough Council through loans to be recouped through rent and income. The WICC development plans will go before Worthing Council’s Planning Committee in the summer following a three-week pre-planning public consultation starting on 23rd March 2020 and a subsequent planning application.
The centre will be a one-stop shop for residents seeking help with a range of care issues and will have space for doctors, mental health specialists, outpatients, health visitors and a pharmacy, as well as further services for families and children. It will be located on the site of the car park at the back of the Town Hall and would see the existing Central Clinic site demolished to make way for the new facility.
Cllr Daniel Humphreys, Leader of Worthing Council, said:
“The WICC is a very exciting development and, as both MPs have been very supportive of the project, we wanted to show them the plans.”
Tim Loughton MP said:
“It’s particularly good to see the strong partnership between the local council and the NHS that’s going to produce a state-of-the-art health centre for a great many local people. We are leading the way in integrated healthcare.”
Sir Peter Bottomley MP said:
“People in and around Worthing want a good place to live, a good place to work and they want good healthcare facilities. I’m glad that the Council has got everyone together and we’re going to have the best health services in the centre of Worthing, which will be a win all round for everyone.”
Photo: (left to right) Cllr Kevin Jenkins, Worthing BC’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Tim Loughton MP, East Worthing and Shoreham, Sir Peter Bottomley MP, Worthing West, and Cllr Daniel Humphreys, Leader of Worthing BC
