Tonic for patients as new surgery open for treatment

Patients have helped declare their GPs' relocated surgery in Yate's new health centre open for business.

The West Walk practice invited their oldest and youngest patients, 100-year-old George Toogood and 13-day-old Joseph Nutt, to the first day in the £12 million complex and declare it open for business.

The arrival of the family doctors from their nearby temporary premises, together with the opening of an X-ray unit, marked the completion of phase two of the launch of Yate West Gate Centre.

The building has been in use since last month when the first services to be based there moved in.

They included physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and podiatry.

Midwives, health visitors, district and school nurses have also settled in.

Now there is just one more phase to be completed before the entire centre is occupied. That will happen next month when a minor injuries unit and outpatients clinic open.

The centre is a joint venture between NHS South Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire Council, with family services such as education welfare and psychology, children's social services, the youth service, Connexions and a Sure Start Children's Centre also operating from the building, which is next door to Yate's recently refurbished and extended library.

Once fully open, thousands of patients from Yate and surrounding areas will no longer have to travel to major hospitals in Bristol for appointments as they will be seen locally.

Penny Harris, chief executive of NHS South Gloucestershire, said that included having therapy and outpatient appointments, having an x-ray or getting treatment for a minor injury.

West Walk Surgery managing partner, Martin Wilkes, said: "I'm sure all of our patients will appreciate the modern and spacious facilities at the new centre, and being able to access other health and council services all under one roof."