Health and social care services have been brought together under one roof in an innovative new centre.
The Winifred Kettle Centre, in Westhoughton, has undergone major refurbishment to transform it into an integrated neighbourhood base for a range of community health and care services.
The building is now home to health visitors, midwives and district nurses; physiotherapy; podiatry; speech and language therapy.
It also has treatment rooms offering residents access to clinical assessment for a variety of wound care issues, including leg ulceration and injection administration.
All of these services are being delivered by Bolton NHS Foundation Trust for the first time together in this part of the borough
The Older Adults Day Care unit, delivered by Bolton Cares, has returned and there will be children’s and family services delivered in partnership with Bolton Council and Bolton NHS Foundation Trust.
The centre is also a base for the Care4Bolton integrated neighbourhood team - Bolton’s new partnership approach to delivering health and social care services for the borough’s most frail and vulnerable residents.
Care4Bolton is a partnership between Bolton Council, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Greater Manchester West NHS Foundation Trust who work together with local GPs to support people with complex health and care needs.
The charity, Senior Solutions, which provides a visiting and befriending service, has also moved in from its former home in Central Drive, Westhoughton.
Deputy Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Linda Thomas, said: “Developing Winifred Kettle Centre into the place it is today began with the need to reconfigure adult social care services, but soon progressed into an opportunity to provide a home for community health services in Westhoughton.
“In recent years, certain health services had been lost to the area, causing residents to travel in order to receive treatment, or they were located in inadequate accommodation.
“We seized the chance to create a hub for a range of health, care and voluntary services and worked with our partners to bring them together under one roof.
“I am delighted with the transformation and hope it becomes a valuable asset to the local community.”
Helen Clarke, Director of Integrated Community Services Division at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The new centre will provide a real opportunity for joined-up working between ourselves, the council and the voluntary sector to deliver seamless care to the local residents.”
Dr Wirin Bhatiani, Chair of NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group’s aim is to have more services provided in the community, closer to where people live. As a result, I am delighted that the refurbishment of The Winifred Kettle Centre has now been completed.
“This Centre will provide many key community services for the people of Westhoughton under one roof, and means the residents of Westhoughton will now no longer have to travel outside of the area to access these services.”