First GP surgery moves into brand new Healthy Living Centre in Chatham

On Monday 16 March, the first GP practice will move into the brand new, £15 million James Williams NHS Healthy Living Centre, located at the Pentagon Centre in Chatham.

The health centre was built by Bauvill (the appointed contractor for the project) and designed by healthcare specialists LSI Architects (the appointed architect). Construction commenced in autumn 2024 and over the last 18 months, there’s been a huge amount of work taking place to transform the first floor of the Pentagon Shopping Centre into modern, flexible spaces, which can host a variety of clinics, GP practices and community health services.

The centre is named in honour of Medway Council’s late Director of Public Health, James Williams. James was an inspirational figure and huge driving force behind improving health outcomes across Medway, as well as addressing health inequalities across the South East.

Funded in partnership by NHS Kent and Medway and Medway Council; the centre is managed by Medway Community Healthcare (MCH).

While the centre will be home to several community services, Bryant Healthcare will be the first GP surgery to relocate into the building on 16 March.

Dr Aly, GP at Bryant Healthcare, said: “We are very excited to be moving into the state of the art, purpose built James Williams Healthy Living Centre.  Our patients will have their health needs provided for in a modern setting with access to MCH community services in the same building, providing convenient all round healthcare.  As a training practice it gives us a chance to further develop doctors and healthcare professionals of the future to give back to our patients – who have long needed a modern building to cater for increasingly complex care needs and long term conditions.”

Maritime Health Partnership (MHP) will relocate into the centre on 23 March and will be fully operational and accessible from day one. The practice will transfer its established Same Day Assessment Hub, Frailty Team and Prescribing Hub into the new central Chatham location, strengthening responsive and proactive care for local residents. Maritime Health will also relocate its frontline team, including care navigators, GPs and nursing staff from its Pentagon surgery.

The Healthy Living Centre brings together general practice and community services under one roof, supporting earlier intervention, prevention and more coordinated care across the neighbourhood.

Dr Pro Mallik, Senior GP Partner at Maritime Health Partnership, Clinical Director for Medway Central Primary Care Network and GP Fellow in Population Health, said:

“This centre represents a step change for neighbourhood healthcare in Central Chatham. It provides the platform to deliver more proactive, joined-up and preventative care, particularly for communities who experience the greatest health inequalities.

My focus has always been on improving long-term health outcomes, not simply responding to illness. By bringing primary care and community services together in one modern, accessible hub, we can intervene earlier, work more collaboratively and support people to stay well for longer.

We are proud to be part of this important development and look forward to building a strong, integrated health community that makes a meaningful and lasting difference for local people.”

Dr Kate Langford, NHS Kent and Medway’s Chief Medical and Outcomes Officer, said: “It’s fantastic to see this healthy living centre open for the people of Chatham to use. The healthy living centre will help us achieve our neighbourhood health remit, a new way of delivering health and care services that focuses on supporting people closer to home, in their local communities, and helping them stay well for longer. Healthcare experts will be able to respond better to local needs and provide care that feels simpler, more connected and more personal.” 

Martin Riley, Managing Director of MCH said: “This centre has been in plans for years and I’m proud that MCH is a part of this embodiment of our local commitment to the NHS Long Term Plan and place-based care. It has been a true partnership project in every way and I’m grateful to our colleagues at Medway Council and NHS Kent and Medway for their contributions and valuable experience throughout.”

Cllr Teresa Murray, Medway Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder covering Public Health, said: “The opening of a new healthy living centre is a poignant moment in many ways. This new facility in Chatham town centre provides more opportunities for Medway residents to access healthcare, whilst supporting the NHS’ long-term plan for neighbourhood health – bringing services closer to where residents live and helping us to have an even stronger focus on tackling health inequalities. The centre is named in honour of Medway’s late, and sadly missed, Director of Public Health who strived to transform the health systems in Medway and across Kent.

“James Williams was a compassionate and highly devoted leader, determined to improve health and care outcomes for residents; he championed the underdog and ensured that everyone – of all backgrounds – had the chance to achieve their potential. The James Williams Healthy Living Centre will continue his legacy long into the future.”