An official opening event is being planned as work progresses on the new £12 million health centre in Barrow.
The facility, which will be situated on the site of the former Alfred Barrow School is bringing together a number of primary and community health services which will benefit the Furness population.
The official opening of the health centre is now being planned for the end of October/beginning of November and will be marked with a celebratory event.
Geoff Jolliffe, Chair of Morecambe Bay Clinical Commissioning Group said: “We are all really delighted that the completion date of the Alfred Barrow Health Centre is approaching, and the building is looking great.
“It has been a complex project and is opening later than originally anticipated, as there have been a number of challenges. Predominately there has been a pressure on trades in the local area as the building sector is relatively buoyant at the moment.
“This has pushed back the estimated opening date to end of October/beginning of November, but a lot of progress is being made on site and we are now only a few months away from officially opening.
“We will continue to keep patients updated on progress and in the meantime, we would like to reassure everyone that existing services will remain open in their current location until the health centre opens.
“Once we have a more definite date of opening it will be announced, along with details of the celebratory event which will be open to the public.”
All organisations moving into the modern state-of-the-art Alfred Barrow Health Centre are being invited to showcase their services on the day of the official opening – which will give members of the public the chance to come and look around.
Tours on the day will also be held as well as fun activities for all the family.
Brian Joyce, Construction Director of Esh Build said: “We overcame a number of challenges during the delivery of this scheme and are pleased to report the former Alfred Barrow School building is very close to completion. Flooring and decoration are ongoing throughout the new Health Centre ahead of it being handed over for clinical fit out in September.”
Once the building reaches completion, there will be a 4-week commissioning period for equipment to be fitted and services to move in, so the health centre is expected to officially open by the end of October/beginning of November.
Once open, the Alfred Barrow Health Centre will house Abbey Road Surgery, Risedale Surgery, Atkinson Health Centre, services provided by Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust as well as facilities for Morecambe Bay CCG, North West Ambulance Service and BAE Systems.
