MEMBERS of the public will have the chance to get their first look at Barrow's new state-of-the-art £12 million health centre next week.

The Alfred Barrow Health Centre on Duke Street will officially open on November 11 - but a celebratory event is scheduled for this Wednesday.

The health centre, which is situated on the site of the former Alfred Barrow School, is bringing together a number of primary and community health services which will greatly benefit the Furness population.

Geoff Jolliffe, chair of Morecambe Bay Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is delighted that the official opening is near.

“The building is looking great and we’re all really looking forward to moving into the new Alfred Barrow Health Centre with its modern state-of-the-art facilities," he said.

“This project has been in the making for many years and will give the people of Barrow the boost they deserve. Barrow is a town that has a lot going for it, but we do have health problems and part of solving these problems is by having health services that can respond to the need.

“By having all these services under one roof they will be able to streamline the way they work and create links that move us towards a more integrated health care system.”

Construction on the health centre began in December 2017 with the oldest part of the Victorian school building being preserved and an additional building, which will house the patient-facing services, being built as well as a staff car park and a patient car park.

At the celebratory event, all organisations moving into the health centre are being invited to showcase their services – which will give members of the public the chance to come and look around the new health centre from 2.30pm.

There will also be tours of the building held on the day.

Once open, the Alfred Barrow Health Centre will house Abbey Road Surgery, Risedale Surgery, Atkinson Health Centre, services provided by North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (formerly known as Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust), Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (formerly known as 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, BAE Systems and Boots Pharmacy.