Sheffield Shoreham Street GP surgery for relocation and extension

A GP surgery in Sheffield city center is to relocate and expand to cope with the influx of young people.

Sheffield Council said the Shoreham Street operation was “under significant demand pressures” as more young people moved to live in the city centre.

It has just two consulting rooms and a nurse’s room but has seen a 25% increase in patient numbers from 2,993 in March 2022 to 3,686 in March 2024.

There are now plans to move it to the New Era Square area, off London Road.

In a report, Sheffield Council officers said: “The current GP premises on Shoreham Street are not fit for purpose to accommodate the expected population growth in this borough. The practice is already under significant demand pressures.

“Population growth in this area has come mainly from young people moving into the catchment from elsewhere, many of whom do not speak English as a first language and are unlikely or unable to travel further to other medical practices general.

“If the situation continues, the practice is considering applying to NHS England to close its list of new patient registrations due to the increasing challenge.”

The new surgery would have four consulting rooms, two treatment rooms and extensive training facilities.

It would accommodate 6,500 patients, an increase of 3,500 on the maximum capacity of the Shoreham Street practice.

Sheffield Council is currently looking at how to redevelop the Moorfoot building – close to New Era Square – into a new neighborhood with the potential for more than 2,000 flats by 2039.

The report adds: “The relocation and extension of the Shoreham Street practice to the New Era Square development… will not only address the current shortfall in the supply of GPs, but should also ensure that provision remains fit for purpose for the next few years .

“The extension of the cabinet will secure future provision for up to 2,500 new households alongside the existing community.”

The NHS has committed £233,000 to the scheme and Sheffield Council will add £200,000.