New health centre in Kirkholt just weeks from opening to patients

Ruth Lloyd, Practice Manager and Dr Andrew Elliott, Lead GP at Kirkholt Health Centre outside the brand new health centre

The keys to the new Kirkholt Health Centre in Rochdale were handed over to the practice by the centre developers, Eric Wright Health & Care, on 1 May.

The state of the art centre will benefit more than 6,000 local people when it opens to existing and new patients in mid May at which point the old practice on Queen’s Drive will be replaced and close.

The new £2.3 million facility was commissioned by NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group (HMR CCG) and will provide a variety of health and community services for Kirkholt residents in premises which are fit for the future.

The 600sq m, two-storey building will house a range of GP-led primary care services provided by the Kirkholt Medical Practice. The team will consist of general practitioners, advanced nurse practitioners, specialist diabetes nurses, healthcare assistants, in house counsellors, focused care workers, reception and admin staff, social prescribers and pharmacists. There is also a community room that is available for a variety of uses to benefit the local area.

The current practice is delivered from a temporary structure on Queen’s Drive and the new building is located close to the Rochdale Boroughwide Housing – Kirkholt Strand regeneration project, with the new health centre being the latest addition to the regeneration of Kirkholt.

Dr Chris Duffy, Chair of HMR CCG, said: “We have worked long and hard with the existing practice at Kirkholt and other partners to get us to this important stage. The centre began construction in May last year. We are pleased that, at last, the practice will be able to deliver health services in a modern building in the heart of the Kirkholt community.”

Dr Andrew Elliott, lead GP at Kirkholt Health Centre, said: “We are extremely pleased and excited to be weeks away from opening our new state of the art health centre. The new centre will bring benefits to the local community, improving access to quality healthcare as well as offering modern facilities for integrated teams and community services in one location.”

Council leader Allen Brett also commented: “The construction of this new health centre is a further symbol of the regeneration of Kirkholt and we are delighted that the keys have been passed over to allow the practice to make its final preparations before opening to patients.”

Any local resident can choose to register at the new centre by contacting Kirkholt Medical Practice on 01706 664130 or visiting www.kirkholtmedicalpractice.org.uk