FRODSHAM’S long-awaited new community health centre – described by family doctors preparing to move in as ‘an iconic NHS development’ – will finally open on November 14.
The multi-million pound Princeway Health Centre – funded by Cheshire West Primary Care Trust and built on the former Frodsham High School site – will provide a new purpose designed home for The Knoll and Frodsham Medical Practice (formerly The Rock) GP surgeries.
The GP-managed centre – created by developers City Heart/Community Solutions, AFL Architects and Pochin Construction - will also be a hub for an enhanced community health and social care services for the Frodsham and Helsby area, including District and School Nurses, Health Visitors, Social Workers, Community Matrons and Primary Care Mental Health Service.
Podiatry/Chiropody services are moving from Helsby Health Centre and will be located on the first floor of the new building, and Physiotherapy services – previously based in Ellesmere Port – will be using two specially designed treatment rooms on the first floor, and holding group sessions in the large multi-purpose room on the ground floor.
Counselling services will come together in a suite of rooms on the first floor, with ‘Talking Therapies’, Alcohol and Smoking Cessation services all providing individual and group support.
Children’s Speech and Language Therapy service has a specially laid out suite to allow remote supervision of counselling sessions.
GPs are also planning to bring consultant-led services at Princeway, providing closer-to-home consultations for out-patients who currently have to travel to hospitals in Chester or Warrington.
“There will also be a minor surgery suite for procedures not requiring general anaesthetics,” said Paul Smith, partner/manager at The Knoll.
“These services may also be based in Helsby Health Centre and we would like patients not to think about the two health centres in isolation, but that the services provided will save a trip to hospital.”
Dr Patrick Milroy, senior partner at The Knoll, said: “We are delighted with this new facility which will enhance the health and lives of all our patients. It is the culmination of years of meetings and co-operation between the PCT and all of the medical services in Frodsham.”
Dr Steven Pomfret, who led The Knoll team in the development of the building, said: “We count ourselves extremely fortunate to have had the support of Western Cheshire Primary Care Trust who have seen the project through to such a marvellous conclusion.
“It is a spectacular building and we are excited by the new opportunities it gives us.”
Dr Helen Asteriades and the team at Frodsham Medical Practice said: “We are looking forward to the future in our new premises.”
The Knoll and Frodsham Medical Practice in High Street will close their doors at noon on November 11 and both surgeries will provide emergency-only services throughout that afternoon. They will open again at the new health centre at 9.30am on November 14.
