CINDERFORD Health Centre in Dockham Road is to move to a new purpose-built £5 million building on a Valley Road site.

The two GP practices based at the Dockham Road site have been overcrowded for some time and badly need ‘breathing space’.

Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group first highlighted the need for a new building in its 2016 Infrastructure Plan.

The Dockham Road and Forest Health Care surgeries hope to move into their new home by the end of 2019. Work is due to start on the new building once it has been given approval by Forest of Dean planners.

Dr Justin Forbes, GP at Dockham Road surgery said: “Our ambition is to retain the welcoming and friendly environment of our current practice in spacious, modern premises."

And at Forest Health Care, Dr Deborah Lane GP said: “The new building will help us to meet the ever-increasing health and care needs of our patients, ensuring that we can continue to provide high quality services for years to come.”

This development is part of wider plans to improve GP premises in the district and is not related, or dependent, on a future decision on the location of a new community hospital for the Forest of Dean.