Some NHS services will continue to be offered at the former Dorset Council office as Dorset County Hospital (DCH) and the authority agree a 20-year lease for the use of the South Walks building.

DCH has been using the building as an Outpatient Assessment Centre for the past six months, helping to [L] https://dorchester.nub.news/n/some-nhs-waiting-lists-39nearly-disappeared39-thanks-to-pop-up-facility-in-dorchester [L+]reduce waiting lists in the county by providing a range of outpatient services[.L] - bringing health to the high street - and will continue to use the building for clinical and office use.

The lease was approved by Dorset Council in December and has now been agreed by the NHS.

The lease covers full use of the building, excluding the library and learning centre, which will continue to operate as normal.

Councillor Tony Ferrari, portfolio holder for economic growth, property and assets, said: "I'm delighted that we've agreed a fantastic use for this important building in the centre of Dorchester.

"This lease will ensure great use of the building over the coming years, provide easily accessible health services for residents, will give a boost to the town centre's economy when more staff are working from the site, and provide non-seasonal high value employment in Dorset for decades into the future.

"We are pleased to work together across the public sector to provide good services and good value to residents."

Nick Johnson, interim chief executive at DCH, said: "South Walks House has been a terrific addition to the trust's facilities over the last six months, so we're really please to have agreed a longer-term lease, which will also allow us to use more of the building.

"It will support plans to tackle waiting lists for elective surgeries and allow us to maximise use of clinical space on the hospital site, as well as offer opportunities to provide integrated care service with our partners.

"While our main aim is to provide outstanding care, we're also committed to making a positive impact within the local community through our Social Value Pledge. We hope that using South Walks House to treat patients and as office space for staff will also help increase footfall on the high street and support local businesses."

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