With the new building finished ahead of schedule, the team at West Coast Health Clinic (WCHC) will be moving from their current clinic to a new purpose-built premises across the road at the start of October. The team will remain the same but will trade under a new name which will be unveiled at a dawn blessing on October 1.
The new building is 478m2 with 17 parking spaces out the front and is almost double the space of the old building. The new building has been designed so it can grow with the community and whilst an X-ray facility is currently not feasible, allowances have been made to incorporate this at a later date with the help of the Raglan Community Health Trust.
Almost ten years in the making, the project initially started in 2010 when the then WCHC business partners planned for a new space to accommodate the growing health needs of the Raglan community. In 2011 a feasibility study for an integrated family health centre was completed, with seven possible sites identified as potentially suitable in Raglan’s CBD. After many years planning, the property at 9 Wallis St was selected as the best option.
“We are very excited to be moving to a purpose-built premises that we hope will serve the community for many years to come.” said clinic manager Michelle Meenagh.
Patient privacy was one of the top priorities in the design process, in addition to functionality and sustainability. The new waiting area has a very high ceiling to create a spacious light-filled waiting area. While the building is single storied for now, the foundations are strengthened so the building can be expand to a second storey if the space is needed.
The building has a total of 16 consulting rooms and a large treatment area that accommodates three additional separate rooms that allow for more privacy and confidentiality. The old curtain partitions between beds will no longer exist.
There is a large meeting room designed to maximise team work, facilitate collaboration with other health providers and to enable group education sessions for patients. The team also hope to hold early morning and lunchtime yoga or pilates sessions in this space.
“We have the potential to add an electric car charging station that will be available to use after hours,” added Michelle.
The build has been completed by Cemac Construction, finishing well ahead of schedule, business owner Dr Mike Loten would highly recommend them for any commercial projects. As the business is funding this project without any financial assistance from the DHB or Ministry of Health, and in line with Raglan’s environmentally friendly ethos, most of the current medical equipment will be reused in the new premises and replaced only when needed. The clinics consultation fees will stay the same while the supplementary services will have a price review in the coming months
There are opportunities to rent clinic spaces within the building and prospective tenants will be invited to preview the building over the next two weeks. Booking will be essential, please send enquiries and expressions of interest to michelle@westcoasthealth.co.nz.
West Coast Health Clinic dawn blessing and unveiling of new name: Tuesday, October 1 at 6.30am outside the new building at 9 Wallis St.
Clinic spaces for lease: send an email to michelle@westcoasthealthclinic.co.nz to express your interest.
