TIVERTON mayor Cllr Sue Griggs was in attendance at Clare House Surgery in the town, to celebrate the completion of the new £1.8m extension.

More than 100 guests, including Clare House staff, patients and supporters attended the event, enjoying canapés and wine.

Dr Frank O’Kelly, senior partner gave a welcome address advising that Clare House has always been known to give an excellent service to patients – and the expansion has now created an environment that includes a clinical suite and additional healthcare facilities that will ensure a primary care service for the future.

This was followed by a number of presentations by keynote speakers including a few words from the Mayor.

Cllr Susan Griggs, Mayor of Tiverton, said: “Tiverton is a busy and social town and I am very pleased that we have such a wonderful surgery in our town centre as it is vital to the local community.

“I wish everyone who works here every success and well done to the consultants for the fabulous design and all their hard work.”

The project came in within budget with Mark Coton of Construction Consultants, Haldons Ltd as the lead consultant.

Mark’s presentation outlined the phases and complexities of the project showing before and after photographs.

He said: “Clare House Surgery is a Grade II Listed Building dating back to the seventeenth century and as a result was a challenging project.

“The historic boundary walls had to be re-constructed and the ground conditions were poor coupled with being the wettest winter for 250 years which Dave Pearce of Morgan Sindall and his team dealt with brilliantly.

“I also would like to thank Linda Bent the Business Development Manager and all the Clare House team for their patience throughout the build.”