A disused university building could be transformed into an ‘all-in-one’ healthcare centre offering up to 60,000 appointments per year.

Ambitious plans are in to host GPs, opticians and dentists on the site in Northwood Road, Broadstairs.

NHS chiefs say the development would “speed up the start of treatment and reduce the need for hospital visits” at a time when services are under strain and appointment slots are scarce.

The proposals have been put forward by Healthcare Needs for the Carey Building, which was previously used by Canterbury Christ Church University until it closed in 2018.

“The building is located in Broadstairs at the heart of Thanet, adjacent to the thriving shopping centre at Westwood Cross, and in an area of significant housing growth,” the firm says in documents.

It explains the facility would host GPs, opticians, dentists and a pharmacy, as well as a community diagnostic centre.

The latter would be run by the East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust, and carry out MRIs, echocardiograms and blood testing.

We have been working hard to secure funding for a state-of-the-art health hub...

In total, the centre would offer primary care for 7,000 patients and up to 60,000 appointments a year, phased over five years, the application adds.

There is a possibility the new hub could work with the targeted lung health check screening programme to offer tests for illnesses.

Charity Age UK is also expected to be involved on-site offering support with social work, to “provide a holistic model for the integrated hub where clinical and voluntary services come together”.

There will be 36 consultation rooms across the building, mainly on the ground floor, including spaces for podiatry, phlebotomy, cardiology, paediatrics, counselling, treatment and respiratory care.

The first floor “will accommodate additional clinical spaces in the future,” planning consultancy firm Health Needs’ application adds.

In July, TDC’s planning committee approved another healthcare centre in Westwood, known as Westwood Health Campus.

Set to include a GP practice, care home, assisted living building and nursery, the plan was met with support from councillors.

A spokesperson for East Kent Health & Care Partnership explained funding is not yet guaranteed.

Karen Sharp, director for East Kent Health and Care Partnership, said: “We have been working hard to secure funding for a state-of-the-art health hub for Thanet, which we hope will help to improve long-term health outcomes.

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“This could include a Community Diagnostic Centre, as part of the national programme, to provide earlier and more accurate diagnostic tests closer to home, speeding up the start of treatment and reducing the need for hospital visits.

“We know Thanet has one of the highest levels of health inequalities and our vision is to expand the centre with primary and community care, alongside voluntary sector organisations.

“This should provide truly joined-care to support people from across Thanet to live healthier lives for longer.

“This is a really exciting opportunity and if we are successful, we will be working with patients, the public, colleagues and our partners to look at the range of services that could be provided.”

It is not yet known when TDC will decide on the new healthcare hub at Northwood Road.