New £7.5m hospital will open next week

Health services will start to operate from the new St Luke’s Treatment Centre on Leicester Road on Monday or Tuesday of next week, depending on the service.

At the same time the old “Cottage Hospital” on Coventry Road, which has served the town since 1909, will close.

Hospital campaigner Cllr Phil Knowles said: “There’s a tinge of sadness to see the old hospital close.

“But I’m delighted to see this fantastic new health facility opened. Harborough’s new hospital is going to serve the community for many years.”

The Mail understands there will be no fanfare when the new hospital opens. An official opening ceremony will take place later in the year - possibly May or June.

This week, the last few touches were being put to the new hospital, as a removal team shifted equipment from the Cottage Hospital up the road to the new St Luke’s.

Market Harborough Medical Centre has issued a statement telling patients their new St Luke’s Branch Surgery will open on Tuesday, March 7, to relieve pressure on their town centre base.

The ‘drop-in’ Minor Injuries Unit will also move from the Cottage Hospital to St Luke’s Treatment Centre on Tuesday.

Free car parking is available, but the Medical Centre is advising patients to use alternative transport if possible.

Dr Richard Palin, Chair of East Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “St Luke’s Treatment Centre will provide state-of-the-art facilities for patients in Market Harborough and the surrounding areas.

“This facility brings vital healthcare services together under one roof. We’re delighted to be opening the doors to patients in the coming days.”

Dr Noel O’Kelly, clinical director for Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, added: “The Treatment Centre, is a fantastic resource for the people of Harborough.

“This will give us up-to-date, high quality accommodation for the range of services that we provide, working in conjunction with GPs and other NHS organisations.”