Family doctors move in at Openshaw’s new NHS centre

Openshaw’s new £3 million NHS centre is now the ultra modern home of a GP practice that has relocated from its premises of more than 70 years.

The former Capital Road Surgery has made the short move to Higher Openshaw Primary Care Centre on Ashton Old Road, where it will operate alongside a range of other NHS services.

The practice has been seeing patients at the state-of-the-art facility since last month. It shares the site with services ranging from counselling to podiatry (foot care). John Harrop, Director of Operations at Manchester Primary Care Trust, explained: "This is a superb facility that brings a range of NHS services together in one, convenient place and welcoming surroundings. We're delighted that the doctor's surgery has moved in and hope that patients find it to be a pleasant place to receive their care."

GP Dr Gary O'Driscoll, one of five GPs in the practice, said: "Our premises on Capital Road served our patients and staff well for more than 70 years but we were keen to move somewhere larger and more modern while remaining at the heart of the community.

"We're very pleased with the facilities here and have been receiving lots of positive comments from patients."

Other services available at the centre include speech and language therapy, family planning, vascular care and a range of counselling services. There is also a minor operations suite and space set aside for clinics and community meetings.

The development has been led by Manchester Primary Care Trust and MaST LIFTCo, and built by construction partner Laing O'Rourke. It is funded through the Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT), a major public-private sector partnership to provide and improve NHS buildings. Richard Groome, Chief Executive of MaST LIFTCo, said: "We set out to provide an ideal environment for patients and support the health professionals in delivering the very best services. This is a truly first class health facility of which we hope local people will be proud."

Tom Russell, Chief Executive of New East Manchester Ltd said: "Healthcare plays a vital role in the wellbeing of our local communities. The new centre is a very visible sign of the regeneration taking place in Openshaw and will have a positive, lasting effect on the lives of local people for many years to come."

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