Halstead residents will soon benefit from greater access to GP services as a new branch GP surgery is set to open.
Located in the former X-Ray block at Halstead Hospital, the new Halstead Heights Clinic will be a branch surgery of the Elizabeth Courtauld Practice, who’s main site is also in Halstead.
The newly renovated space will allow the practice to house more clinical staff, as the current surgery is not large enough for the multi-disciplinary team of healthcare professionals that provide patient services.
As well as GP appointments, registered patients will have access to a range of services, including blood tests, vaccinations and minor surgery through pre-booked appointments only. The surgery is expected to start seeing its first patients in April 2026.
Halstead Heights Clinic has three new consulting rooms, one treatment room, interview and virtual consulting room, and public areas such as waiting rooms and reception.
We are so pleased to be able to officially open Halstead Heights Clinic and look forward to welcoming patients at the new facility. Our dedicated, multi-skilled team is passionate about delivering exceptional care for our patients and the new branch will help us do that.
As our town continues to grow and welcome new residents, we’re proud to grow alongside it. Opening this new branch surgery, using existing facilities and bringing them back into use once more, marks an exciting step forward for our long‑established practice. This additional location strengthens our drive to provide high‑quality, accessible care and supports our plans to expand both our team and the range of services we offer. We look to the strong, positive future for the community we are proud to serve.
Dr Ali Al-Sawaf, GP Partner
The refurbishment work was completed as a joint project between NHS Property Services (NHSPS), NHS Mid and South Essex and Braintree District Council. Funds for the work came from NHSPS and via Section106 contributions made by housing developers.
The refurbishment at Halstead Hospital is a great example of how we can use funding contributed from local housing developers to support improvements in healthcare services. The funding has helped to modernise an existing NHS property and put it to use in new ways to meet the needs of residents. The new site will create space for additional capacity for services to be delivered in modern, fit-for-purpose facilities.
Tom Abell, Chief Executive, NHS Mid and South Essex
We’re really pleased to see money from housing developers being reinvested into Halstead to expand GP services. While new homes are essential, it’s just as vital to grow services like healthcare to support the increasing population in the Braintree district – something we know residents care deeply about. It’s important that developers for larger developments play their part in helping to fund that growth and need.
Councillor Gabrielle Spray, Cabinet Member for Planning at Braintree District Council
It’s great that work has completed on expanding Halstead Hospital, which will go a long way in improving access to essential healthcare services that will help them to live healthily and well. I know that the people of Halstead will welcome this step forward, and that it will be a huge positive for future residents too.
Councillor Lynette Bowers-Flint, Cabinet Member for Housing, Health and Wellbeing at Braintree District Council
We are proud to have now delivered this modern healthcare facility for the community. This project underscores our commitment to enable excellent patient care by developing better estates, and in this case ensuring that Halstead residents have improved access to essential primary medical services.
Christopher Philbedge, Estates Strategy Lead at NHS Property services
The Council provided £290,000 of funding for the project from section106 funds which are contributed by residential developments to support improvement in community infrastructure. NHSPS has also invested over £400,000 in optimisation and energy efficiency works.
The external appearance of the building has remained unchanged, with the funds being used to develop the internal structure so it is fit for GP services. The new facility has its own dedicated entrance separate to the rest of the hospital site and has dedicated parking spaces for staff and patients.
Environmental sustainability has been an important consideration of this scheme. All lighting at Halstead has been upgraded to LED panels, bringing it in line with the latest guidance and providing a consistent greener energy use. The heating system has also been improved, moving from gas boilers to more environmentally friendly technology.