Funding has been secured to begin construction of two new health centres, one for Belgrave and one for De Montfort University.

Work will start at the end of April on the £5 million Belgrave Primary Care Centre and the £3m De Montfort University Health Centre.

The De Montfort scheme will provide a new building for the current University GP practice run by Dr IB Cross.

In Belgrave, the new primary care centre will provide access to a number of GP practices as well as a pharmacist, district nurses and community matrons.

Outpatient clinics for a range of specialist services will visit the Belgrave Primary Care Centre so people can receive care closer to home rather than travelling to hospital.

Toby Sanders, NHS Leicester City’s Director of Primary and Community Care, said: “This is tremendous news for the local communities as they have waited a long time for these schemes to reach this final stage.

“We are delighted they are now moving forward to construction to provide improved healthcare facilities closer to where people live and work. These purpose-built centres will help us to provide the right services in the right place, at the right time.”

NHS Leicester City is a stakeholder in Leicester LIFTCo who raised the finance from a private sector investor and will now lead the design and construction of the new builds.

Edward Hannah, General Manager Leicester LIFTCo, said: “We’re excited to begin work on these modern, high-quality health facilities. The projects mean a number of health services can be provided under one roof so they’re more accessible and convenient for patients.”

The site for Belgrave Primary Care Centre is Brandon Street, close to Cossington Street Recreation Park.

De Montfort’s new practice will be located on Mill Lane, next to the Queens building.

Construction on both sites is due to start at the end of April with the aim that the Belgrave Primary Care Centre will open to patients in August 2011 and the De Montfort Health Centre in May 2011.