Aylsham �1m health centre awaits vote

Richard BatsonDetailed plans for a �1.1m health centre at Aylsham are set to be approved by health chiefs on Wednesday.The centre is part of a wide-ranging complex on part of the old St Michael's hospital site, which will also provide housing, health and care services.Richard Batson

Detailed plans for a �1.1m health centre at Aylsham were due to be approved by health chiefs yesterday.

The centre is part of a wide-ranging complex on part of the old St Michael's hospital site, which will also provide housing, health and care services.

Existing and new clinical services will be provided in the health centre including a respiratory clinic and podiatry services.

Nearby will be a care home with nursing that would have at least nine NHS beds, and incorporate physiotherapy - one of the services highlighted as a priority by a public survey.

And the Aylsham Care Trust charity is providing a day centre which will focus on a health living programme for local people.

Under a new way of funding, which has previously been used at Bungay, the trust would pay for the health centre and be paid a rent by NHS Norfolk.

There are no plans for GP services to relocate but there is potential for local doctors to use clinical space at the centre if there was a need.

NHS Norfolk assistant director of estates commissioning Graham Copsey said: 'By providing a number of services on one site, members of the public in Aylsham and the surrounding areas will be able to access a range of care provisions in one place.'

The plans are being put to the NHS Norfolk board, with the aim of starting building this spring for completion in early 2011.