PLANS are in place for a new high street practitioner's clinic an east Dorset town. 

Bristol-based Sara Fielden-Smith, of SFS Medical and Bookkeeping and a registered practitioner, has taken on an empty retail unit in Victoria Road, Ferndown. 

Although it has been unoccupied for the past five months, the shop unit has previously been a Julia’s House charity shop and since 2016, Wren Furnishings. 

The new clinic could have additional work carried out inside to make it fit for purpose: this includes a modernised kitchenette and new consultation rooms. 

Graham Parkes, director of Westbourne-based Jolp Architects, agent for the clinic, said: “We are pleased to submit the planning application for a change of use from a retail shop to a clinic. 

“The proposals have come about through a desire by the applicant to provide a clinic in the area of Ferndown following the acquisition of the vacant premises." 

Julia's House in Ferndown closed in 2014Julia's House in Ferndown closed in 2014

Mr Parkes added that Ms Fielden-Smith is a registered practitioner and the new clinic would receive a CQC registration to operate prior to the opening at a later date. 

“It is felt the property will provide a much-needed service for the area in place of a vacant property,” he added. 

“The lease holder and applicant has stated the intentions to the freeholder prior to acquisition and are in fully supportive of the use with this being complimentary to the area with minimal noise generation or hindrance on the apartments above.” 

Julia’s House, which formerly occupied 120C Victoria Road, closed in 2014 after seven years because of spiraling costs. 

And prior to 2017, the unit next door was also a clinic called The Practice at Ferndown until it relocated to a larger site in Ringwood Road. 

A recent study found the number of people registered with an NHS GP practice in England grew by 11 per cent from 56,042,361 to 62,418,295 between 2013 and 2023. 

But the total number of GP practices in England fell from 8,044 to 6,419 over the same period – a 20 per cent drop. 

Here in Dorset, each GP was responsible for on average around 1,630 patients in April – slightly up from 1,628 last year, despite the workforce increasing in the area.