AN OFFICE building in Eastleigh could be turned into a new health centre.

Town bosses are set to approve plans to turn the Mitchell House in Southampton Road into a new health centre, during a meeting set to take place at Eastleigh House at 7pm tonight.

According to the proposal, the new centre will bring the existing Eastleigh GP practices St Andrews Surgery, Archers Practice and Parkside Practice under one roof.

Experts specialised in children care, midwifery, mental health, sexual health, social care and dentistry will also be based at the centre.

The plans have been proposed by West Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

Health bosses have not confirmed how many new jobs will be created but according to an official report published by planning chiefs in Eastleigh between 100 and 150 people will be working at the site.

A spokesperson for West Hampshire CCG said: “People would still be registered with the same practice and would continue to see the same doctors, nurses and practice staff. There are no plans to close any GP services only relocate them to a fit-for-purpose building.”

The new health centre will be open until 11pm seven days a week and will include a pharmacy, a cafe and the Citizen Advice Bureau offices. A turning area for ambulances and 23 new parking spaces will be created at the back of the building.

In an official report planning bosses said: “The proposals will also see more services delivered locally in Eastleigh, rather than in remote acute hospital or other settings outside the borough requiring patients and carers and their families to make sometimes very difficult journeys by private car or by public transport.”

The building was built in the 1980s and has been empty for the last couple of years.