A multi-million pound health centre which will include a walk-in clinic should be fully operational in seven months.

The new development at Estuary View Business Park, Whitstable, will include a general practice incorporating the existing Whitstable Medical Practice, a pharmacy and a separate community clinic, run by independent provider Circle Health.

Dr John Ribchester, the executive partner at Whitstable Medical Practice, said: “The general practice is an NHS practice, while the community clinic will provide NHS services to NHS patients from anywhere, not just from our surgery.”

Their surgeries, at the Whitstable Health Centre, Swalecliffe and Chestfield Medical Centre, will remain open.

Dr Ribchester added: “The benefits to patients are more medical services in the community, available more locally, with shorter waiting times and at less cost to the NHS.”

Six doctors at the Whitstable Health Centre will be moving to Estuary View, along with the minor injuries unit. Patients will be given the option to move with them, or stay at their current surgeries.

Also remaining open is Saddleton Road Surgery.

The new pharmacy will be the first element of the centre to open on March 20, followed by the general practice in June. The community clinic is expected to be completed in September.