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£12 million Health and Community Centre opens
March 20, 2012 10:24 PM
"This project is a best practice model for how the public sector can join together to provide integrated services for the citizens of Birmingham," said Cllr Paul Tilsley..
A new £12 million Community and Health Centre has opened in the heart of Sparkbrook, offering integrated health and council services on one site, with a wider range of health support and community facilities for the local community.
Cllr Paul Tilsley, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: "This project is a vital element of the wider regeneration of Sparkbrook and will act as a best practice model for how different parts of the public sector can join together to provide integrated services for the citizens of Birmingham. It will help improve people's lives and cut out duplication of services, saving the taxpayer money in the process. I've watched the project develop from drawing board to reality, and these are exciting times for the area."
Located on the site of the former Victorian built Christ Church which was badly damaged in the July 2005 tornado, the new centre serves a patient population of around 15,000 and accommodates three GP practices and services which were previously delivered by Farm Road Health Centre, including community dental services, baby clinics and stop smoking clinics. New services include physiotherapy, healthy young people services and a Health Exchange area.
The centre will also be home to one of Birmingham City Council's new generation of Customer Service Centres, part of the Customer First programme, and replaces temporary accommodation in Mole Street, providing access to council services including issues relating to accommodation and money advice. There are also four rooms available for community use and events, three of which can be opened up to create a larger space. These rooms will house services currently offered by the Sparkbrook Family Centre.
As well as contributing significantly to the regeneration of the Sparkbrook area and offering a sustainable focal point for the local community, the centre has environmentally friendly features and achieves a BREEAM excellent rating.