"West Gorton is almost unrecognisable from the neighbourhood it was a decade ago. Young families looking for affordable, decent homes in quality neighbourhoods – close to the city centre – are flocking to the area. The transformation here should be considered as one of the real success stories when it comes to neighbourhood regeneration."
Councillor Bernard Priest, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, on West Gorton's journey from the backdrop to the TV show Shameless to a national regeneration success story.
The area's new medical centre is right at the heart of it - helping to put primary care on the map for all the right reasons.
"This is such an important step for our practice - the whole of this area has been remodelled and regenerated and there's lots more housing to go up so we will have more patients coming through our doors – we need a modern space and facilities to look after them."
Serving almost 6,800 patients, West Gorton Medical Centre works in a part of the country facing huge health challenges.
The practice's former run-down premises were right at the heart of the community. While the physical journey to its new building on Clowes Street was less than half a mile, the goal was to create a space for primary care that was worlds away from the cramped and ageing home it had outgrown long ago.
The 1,191sq m new surgery building includes a pharmacy and training space, as well a light and airy waiting area and modern consulting rooms.
But the state-of-the-art clinical space masks a sustainable secret. The building uses innovative design to cut running costs for heating and lighting, creating an ultra low-energy site – with the aim of becoming the country's first zero carbon doctor’s surgery building.
"If these features perform in the way we hope, West Gorton will be the home of the country's first GP surgery building to generate its own power for heating and lighting, helping to keep costs down for the NHS." Assura Development Manager, Paul Warwick.
The new building had its official opening in November 2017, with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham doing the honours.
