A HAMPSHIRE village has seen the arrival of a state of the art doctor’s surgery thanks to a £2 million loan.

The Wickham surgery covers 11,000sq ft, including an on-site dispensary and additional private consulting rooms that are to be used by local consultants for both private and NHS clinics.

The Gudgeon Wing will accommodate a diabetes clinic and an audiology clinic, as well as hosting consultations for orthopaedic surgery, gastroenterology, dermatology, allergies, pain management, urology and physiotherapy.

It was made possible thanks to a £2million loan from RBS, who structured the financing using the European Investment Bank (EIB) loan scheme, a government-backed initiative which was made available for small-to-medium sized enterprises.

Dr Jill Foot, one of seven equity partners at the surgery, said: “The move to the new surgery is very exciting for both the doctors and our patients.”

Christopher Mann, of RBS, said: “We are sure it will be a valuable asset greatly improving the primary healthcare provision in Wickham. We are delighted to support the partners of Wickham Surgery and believe this deal highlights our funding appetite within the GP sector and our desire to be involved with such new developments.”

The new surgery is on Houghton Way, off Mill Lane, Wickham and is one of the last Primary Care Trust approved new GP Surgeries.