Plans to speed-up delivery of primary health care facilities were first mooted in the summer of 2008 with the Express LIFT framework based on Local Improvement Finance Trusts.

The Cumbria eLIFT consortium has now become the first organisation to sign a deal under the framework for the construction of a new £2.6m health care centre for the Sedbergh Medical Practice.

Gary Naylor, General Manager of eLIFT Cumbria Limited said: “We are particularly pleased to reach Financial Close on the Sedbergh Health Centre; not only is it an important development for the people of Sedbergh and the Sedbergh Medical Practice, but it is a fitting way for us to mark the anniversary of eLIFT Cumbria’s formation.”

The consortium is made up of Cyrill Sweet, Anagennao Limited and Sutton Harbour Holdings

Ken Gill, Managing Director of Cyril Sweett Investments Limited, said: “We are delighted to have reached this important milestone in the Express LIFT initiative and look forward to delivering first class facilities that will enable GPs to provide modern and effective care closer to home for residents of Sedbergh.

“This is the first of a significant pipeline of projects that we, together with our partners, will be developing over the next few years through the Express LIFT initiative, improving primary healthcare provision for the people of Cumbria.”.