Double tonic for health centres

Primary care receives shot in the arm

COUNCILLORS have approved two plans for Primary Care Centres in Oldham.

Community 1st Oldham Ltd has been granted permission by Oldham Planning OCmmittee to build two health centres, in Shaw and Werneth.

The first application is for land at High Street/Westway, Shaw. The second centre is planned for land at Alfred Street/Featherstall Road South, Werneth.

The Shaw site is currently occupied by car parking, an electricity sub-station, the Lifelong Learning Centre and pockets of landscaping and open space.

GP practices, dental facilities, extended primary care treatment, consulting and counselling rooms as well as a pharmacy will all feature in the new buiding.

Existing services from Crompton Health Centre are expected to relocate to the new site. The proposal includes relocation of a sub-station to front Westway and parking for seven vehicles, accessed directly off High Street.

Facilities will be provided on three levels and the proposed hours of opening will be between 6am and 11pm, including Sundays and bank holidays. The Werneth site, close to the derelict St John’s Church, will feature similar services.