A healthcare service provider has increased the size of its offices in Taunton.

HUC, an operator of NHS 111, urgent and primary care services, has expanded its contact centre at Blackbrook Business Park.

This is to accommodate a growing number of teams and services.

HUC began providing the NHS 111 service for Somerset in April last year, and also provides Cornwall’s NHS 111 service.

Originally based in a 4,432 sq ft suite in Ashford Court, HUC has now agreed terms to lease the whole 13,391 sq ft building.

The expansion will facilitate a greater number of call handlers and clinicians to provide care to their patient communities in the South West.

Somerset County Gazette: HUC has expanded its contact centre at Blackbrook Business Park

HUC CEO, David Archer, said: "We started providing our services in the South West from October 2022, and have since operated from Ashford Court in Taunton.

"With the expansion of our facilities, we can now accommodate more call handlers and clinicians, improving our capacity to provide high-quality care to our patient communities in the South West."

Ashford Court, a three-storey office building, was constructed by Summerfield Developments in 2008 and provides 60 parking spaces as well as a cycle store.

Andrew Maynard, partner at Alder King in Taunton, said: "Ashford Court provides high-quality accommodation on one of the region’s most successful business parks.

"It will make an excellent contact centre location for HUC and its growing team.

"The healthcare industry is one of the world’s fastest-growing markets and has been identified in Somerset West and Taunton Council’s Adopted Core Strategy as one of three key growth sectors, alongside education and retailing.

"This strategy is clearly bearing fruit."