£1.8m health centre taking shape

This is how one of the new-look surgeries due to be opened across Wolverhampton is taking shape.

Construction on the £1.8 million health centre in Castlecroft, set to offer treatment for 12,000 patients, got under way in February.

It is the first in a number of new surgeries which will be provided across the city in a rolling programme over the next few years, geared for extended evening and weekend openings. The centre is being built on the vandal-prone site of the former St Pius X Church at the junction on Windmill Lane and Castlecroft Avenue.

It will provide new premises for the practice of Dr Peter Wagstaff and partners, currently based in Castlecroft Road and Tettenhall Road. The premises will provide modern facilities for staff and patients, with a spacious reception and waiting area, including a children's play area as well as 12 consulting rooms and two treatment rooms.

Jon Crockett, chief executive of Wolverhampton City Primary Care Trust, said: "The development at Castlecroft will make a real difference to patients."

Such is the importance of the facility that health bosses marked the start of work on it with a special ceremony, attended by Primary Care Trust chairman Barry Picken, Richard Black from Primary Asset, GPs Dr Wagstaff, Dr Richard Roberts as well as Mr Crockett.