A time capsule buried 80 years ago was revealed at a groundbreaking ceremony in Lytham.
Work has now started on the new flagship Lytham Primary Care Centre in Lancashire, being developed by Primary Asset, a leading developer of innovative premises solutions in the primary care market throughout the UK.
A purpose-built 4,500 sq m primary care centre will provide modern facilities for staff and patients. The multi-million pound centre will include 22 consulting rooms, a GP treatment suite, dedicated physiotherapy/occupational therapy space, PCT diagnostics, treatment rooms, minor operations facilities as well as a pharmacy, café and parking for 163 cars.
The time capsule, discovered during the demolition of the former Lytham Hospital, was originally placed inside the walls of the building when it was erected in 1928. It contained coins and stamps from the 1920’s as well as a newspaper and the hospital’s Annual Report. Coins from an earlier period were also found inside and are thought to date from 1871 when the first Lytham Hospital was built.
Arrangements are now being made to put the time capsule’s contents on public display and suggestions for the content of a modern time capsule to be buried as part of the new Primary Asset development have been requested from the local community.
Kevin Parkinson, Deputy Chief Executive of North Lancashire Teaching PCT, says:
“It was fascinating to see these artefacts after 80 years and to see how times have changed. The new primary care centre will allow us to deliver the very best of health care to the people of Lytham from a modern building fit for the 21st century, replacing GP premises that have become outdated and limited in terms of expansion.”
Ashley Heath, Director of Primary Asset said:
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with North Lancashire Teaching Primary Care Trust and the GP’s from Holland House and Fernbank Surgery to deliver a modern primary care centre that embraces the NHS Plan in bringing more services closer to patients in the community of Lytham. We look forward to sharing our predecessor’s foresight and burying a modern time capsule for future generations to discover.”
