Ambitious proposals for the first of a dozen new health centres in Wolverhampton are off the starting blocks.

It was revealed today that Bilston Health Centre, which will be in the town’s urban village development, will be twice as big as the successful Parkfields Phoenix Centre and Wednesfield Gem Centre. And health bosses have revealed they plan to bring in city based building firm Carillion to turn their grand designs for a “mini hospital” into reality.

The scheme has now reached a key stage with the business case sent off for approval to the Strategic Health Authority, which is responsible for overseeing all health care in the region. It is hoped the facility could be welcoming patients by September 2011.

The city’s Primary Care Trust, which pays for and provides health care services, is behind the project along with the council.

It will boast seven GP practices as well as a social services day centre among other services.

One of the surgeries which will move into the new facility is Bilston Health Centre. Dr Satya Sharma who was the first doctor to move in there 26 years ago. He said: “This building is quite outdated and if this new facility gives us the chance to offer more services such as minor operations then that will be good for the patient.”

Similar mini hospital developments are in the pipeline for Showell Park and the West Park Hospital site.

Health bosses say the plans for new health facilities across Wolverhampton will give the city “best facilities in the West Midlands.”

Other developments will see health care services brought back to the former Royal Wolverhampton Hospital as well as facilities at Warstones, Heath Town, Castlecroft, Whitmore Reans, Portobello and Low Hill and The Scotlands.

By Helen Cartwright