West Lancashire residents are being welcomed to a world of wider-ranging health services this week after a new centre opened its doors in Ormskirk.

The West Lancashire Health Centre opened officially for the first time yesterday (December 1, 2009), and NHS Central Lancashire believe it will enable the region's residents to access more health services than ever before.

"These new services will transform healthcare for people living in West Lancashire. Not only will they increase access to treatment and advice, but by being open early in the morning, in the evenings and at weekends, they will give people more choice about when to seek treatment and support," said Joe Rafferty, chief executive of NHS Central Lancashire.

"People will be able to access primary medical care whether they are registered at the health centre or not. This service is something that has been needed for a long time and it will make a huge improvement to the health and wellbeing of local people."

The facility, based at Ormskirk Hospital, offers a wide number of services, including pre-booked and drop-in GP surgeries for both registered and unregistered patients, drop-in advice for minor injuries, and access to special treatment including X-rays.

Other outlets set to open at the centre later this month will be a base for the area's NHS dental services to treat as many as 11,000 residents, following on from the successful use of a temporary surgery at the hospital earlier this year.

The site's opening has been welcomed by a number of residents and politicians in Ormskirk and the surrounding areas, including West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper, who has been involved in the campaign to bring more dental services to Ormskirk.

"I am absolutely delighted that having campaigned hard for improved local health services the doors are open on the new £3 million health care facility, as promised.  Residents across West Lancashire will now have access to high quality permanent health and dental services seven-days-a-week from 8am to 8pm.  For everything other than life threatening illnesses local residents will be able to see a doctor without having to travel to Southport," she said.

 "I am encouraging all local residents to promote and use these services.  A massive thank you to everyone who has helped to get this new service up and running, working with me to get a better deal on NHS services in West Lancashire.  The people of the area deserve nothing less."

If you would like to find out more about West Lancashire Health Centre, visit the site at Ormskirk Hospital, on Wigan Road, or contact 01695 588 800.

By David Simister