Jazz Yard will house a merged practice bringing together the Firs Medical Centre and the former St James Medical Centre

The Jazz Yard development, Credit: Waltham Forest Echo

A long‑delayed new health facility in Walthamstow’s Jazz Yard development is finally set to move forward after Waltham Forest Council, NHS Property Services and North East London ICB agreed a financial package to complete the project.

The purpose‑built space, constructed by the council in 2023 as part of the wider Jazz Yard redevelopment, will house a merged practice bringing together the Firs Medical Centre and the former St James Medical Centre. Internal fit‑out works can now begin following the agreement, completing a project that has faced years of uncertainty.

In a press release, council leader Grace Williams said the deal marked “years of hard‑fought progress”, adding that the council had stepped in to offer a council‑owned space “to ensure the NHS could complete the new St James Medical Centre”. She said the facility would give residents “the high‑quality health and GP services they deserve, located in the heart of their community”.

The Echo has previously reported on patient concerns about the merger of the two practices, including fears over continuity of care and accessibility. The St James Street Medical Centre was shut in 2024, while delays to the Jazz Yard scheme prompted questions about NHS commitment to the project.

The Jazz Yard development itself has also been the subject of scrutiny. In 2023, the council defended its decision to buy back unsold flats on the site after the developer struggled to sell them. The mixed‑use scheme now includes 83 homes, half of which are affordable, alongside a rooftop garden, play space and cycle storage.

Located a short walk from St James Street and Walthamstow Central stations, the new medical centre is expected to serve thousands of patients once open.

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