Patients boosted as centre to open

Tuesday 25th August 2009, 2:30PM BST.

A new health centre offering extra GP services to patients in Shrewsbury is due to open next week.

Shropshire County Primary Care Trust officials said the doors will open on its new facility at the former social security offices in Whitehall, Monkmoor, next Tuesday.

The centre will occupy part of the ground and first floor, with 26 car parking spaces outside. It will open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm.

Planning permission for the controversial scheme was granted in July despite claims that the opening hours will make life difficult for nearby residents.

The trust’s agents say the building’s external appearance will be unchanged, apart from the replacement of a platform lift.

Councillor Miles Kenny, Shropshire Council member for Underdale ward, had previously criticised the plans over fears of parking in streets around the centre.

Health chiefs say the centre will offer treatment for patients with minor injuries, phlebotomy, sexual health services – particularly for younger people – and care for vulnerable groups.

Meanwhile Shropshire Council officials today said they did not yet know whether a controversial needle exchange unit would be sited at Whitehall.

The authority had originally intended to relocate the substance misuse services to Whitehall in Cherry Orchard from St Michael’s Street in March but that has failed to happen.

View more: Monkmoor news, Shrewsbury news.