Oldham’s healthy outlook

HEALTH check . . . GP Shelley Grumbridge with Kathleen Rowen-Pennington

HEALTHY food stalls, Wii Fit demonstrations and recipe challenges — it was all systems go at the opening of a new Oldham health centre.

Lindley House Health Centre, in John Street, is one of four new GP surgeries aimed at giving patients access to health care at times that suit them.

Centres have already opened in Fitton Hill and Coldhurst with a Hollinwood facility due to open in January, 2010.

Shauna Dixon, director of clinical leadership with NHS Oldham, said: “This new GP health centre not only brings more new doctors to Oldham, but it will also help to expand the health services that can be offered to local communities in a central location.

“This practice is part of NHS Oldham’s plans to work with local people to provide the access to health care they need through a network of community healthcare provision.”

David Beckett, chief executive of Go to Doc which runs Lindley House and Coldhurst Medical Centre, said: “We’re extremely excited about the opening of Lindley House Health Centre.

“The feedback we’ve had from local service partners and patient groups has been incredible, demonstrating a real need for an accessible, responsive and community focused service in the centre of Oldham.”

Lindley House will open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm and is available to patients across Oldham who are not currently registered with a GP practice.

Patients can register at the health centre as well as being able to walk in to have an appointment without being registered.

Lindley House will focus on services for young people as well as helping people to manage long-term conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and asthma.

There will be a young people’s drop in clinic every Wednesday from 2-8pm when visitors can get help with weight management, contraception, stopping smoking, sexual health, drugs and alcohol problems and counselling.