The new state-of-the-art Oaklands Health Centre on the outskirts of Holmfirth was officially opened yesterday by celebrity actress Su Pollard.
Oaklands opened its doors to patients last summer but staff were keen to organise an official opening and unveiling of a plaque to mark the completion of the major planning and building project which has been several years in the making.
Practice manager Jonathan Himsworth at Oaklands, which already serves some 7,000 patients in the Holme Valley and still has room for more, said: “Everyone, staff and patients, are delighted with the finished health centre and it was nice to mark the occasion in style.
Staff at the centre have come to know Su Pollard over the years as she regularly stays in the area and we are thrilled that she agreed to carry out the official opening ceremony for us.”
The Oaklands doctors practice, which was previously based in the grounds of the adjacent Holme Valley Memorial Hospital, dates back to the 1700s and was originally founded by the Trotter family.
Several generations of the family have served the Holme Valley since and the practice is now headed by Dr John Clayden and Dr Yusuf Shamee.
Associate GPs are Dr Amanda Curgenven, Dr Laura Short, Dr Emma Spencer and Dr James Ward.
Dr Clayden said: “In the mid-90s we started talking seriously about the need to move into larger premises. We are delighted with the new modern building and the health services we can now offer”.
The new purpose-built health centre, developed by Lunn Healthcare Facilities Ltd and built by Jack Lunn (Construction) Ltd in conjunction with the South Huddersfield Primary Care Trust, has been sympathetically construction in the traditional style of the original Victorian building. Plenty of car parking is available for patients and the whole centre is airy, spacious and light.
Inside the health centre has a modern and pleasant waiting area, its own dispensary, a minor surgery facility, special clinics, counselling, physiotherapy service and is also the local base for district nurses. It is also a training centre for young doctors.
Yesterday’s official opening includes various invited guests including the Mayor of Huddersfield Margaret Fearnley and Bill Mayers who is chairman of South Huddersfield PCT.
A welcome was given by Dr Clayden before the plaque unveiling was carried out by Sue Pollard, who sprung to fame in the TV comedy series Hi-De-Hi.
