A £3M INTEGRATED GP surgery in one of Slough’s most deprived areas has officially opened.
The existing Avenue Medical Centre on Wentworth Avenue has moved to the new and modern GP facility in Britwell Community Centre.
Its doors finally opened to patients last week and brought together a collaboration between Slough Borough Council and its health partners to provide a one-stop-shop for residents.
Last year, senior councillors approved £3m funds, which were part-funded by NHS England’s Estate Technology and Transformation fund, for extension and revamp works to be carried out on the Britwell Community Centre for the new GP surgery.
READ MORE: Decision to extend Old Windsor probation hostel overturned
The current Avenue Medical Centre’s premises are too small for their registered patient list of 7,432 and by relocating to this Britwell Hub, all the services they offer will be in a single ‘modern fit for purpose’ building and be delivered in an integrated way.
The new health services that come with the refurbished centre include mental health and counselling, maternity, physiotherapy, dermatology, vaccination clinics, and more.
Dr Nithya Nanda, GP Partner at Farnham Road and Avenue Medical Centre, said she is “confident” that the new hub will lead to enhanced health outcomes for Britwell and Slough residents and patients.
The library and council access point will remain at the Britwell Centre, as will facilities for The Recycled Teenagers Club and other community groups.
Cllr Natasa Pantelic, lead member for social care and public health, said: “The opening of Britwell Health Centre is the result of a truly joined-up approach to health and social care for our residents.
“It really is quite unique and reflects the strength of the local partnership working between Slough Borough Council and our partners in the NHS.”
READ MORE: Former Windsor garden centre set to be replaced by 30 homes
According to the council, Britwell is Slough’s ‘most deprived area’ as it has one of the highest rates of A&E and emergency admissions in the borough, with depression rates more than double those of the rest of the population and a high prevalence of long-term conditions such as respiratory conditions, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
More than 25 per cent of children in Britwell are considered to be living in poverty in comparison to less than 20 per cent in Slough as a whole.
The new centre is accessible from 8am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here