'Super' health centres' vision revealed

An illustration of what the Manzil Way centre could look like

Health bosses have revealed their vision of how two £11.5m "super" health centres will finally look.

The new one-stop facilities in Oxford will mean an end to patients having to travel between separate doctors' and dentists' surgeries and pharmacies.

They will also bring together a range of community facilities, such as nurseries and benefits and housing advisory services, under one roof.

It is hoped the two centres will replace out-of-date facilities in the city's Manzil Way and Blackbird Leys in at least two years time.

This local partnership will enable us to transform health facilities for the people of Oxford. Trust chief executive Andrea Young

Building work is due to begin in March 2004, say chiefs at Oxford City Primary Care Trust.

The plans have been drawn up under the government's Lift initiative, which allows health organisations to form a company and attract private investment.

Trust chief executive Andrea Young said: "Currently many of our GP practices are based in aged or cramped and inadequate buildings.

"Some of the buildings are owned by private landlords and the NHS pays rent and charges on the buildings we use.

"Through this project we can have shared ownership and provide purpose-built premises and community health services to take us into the 21st Century."

The new health centre at Manzil Way will be home to GP practices, teams of nurses, a dental clinic, a pharmacy and a community cafe.

At Blackbird Leys, the current facility will move to a new site in Dunnock Way where a new building will house GPs, dental services, counselling services and a children's nursery.