Health and care centre would be first of its type in district

Fiona Evans

A health, social care and wellbeing centre which would be the first of its kind in the Bradford district may be built in Keighley.

The facility, which is being proposed by NHS Bradford and Airedale and Bradford Council, would replace the Oaks Resource Centre, Keighley Health Centre and Holycroft Surgery.

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People have until the end of March to offer their views on the proposed centre which could be built at one of two places – either on the existing site of Keighley Health Centre in Oakworth Road or about a mile away near Bradford Road.

Keighley Health Centre, which houses Holycroft Surgery, also includes dental services and a pharmacy and provides outreach services including some rehabilitation, some diagnostics and a small range of consultant-led out-patient clinics.

It was opened in 1976 and a report to be considered by Airedale NHS Trust’s board tomorrow says that “at the time it was at the forefront of health centre design.”

But it adds: “The intervening years have taken their toll on both the fabric of the building and its design concepts.” Apart from a small extension and refurbishment the facilities are much as they were in 1976.

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The Oaks Resource Centre, which is next to the health centre and is primarily a day centre for older people, was developed at around the same time.

“Both buildings show signs of age and their fitness for purpose is limited by the design of those buildings such that there is a pressing need for modernisation,” says the report.

The board of Airedale NHS will be asked to support the development of the new centre when it meets tomorrow.

The final decision is expected to be made in May by NHS Bradford and Airedale and Bradford Council.

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It is proposed that the new centre would be a one-stop-shop for health and social care needs which are currently delivered at separate premises.

Plans include existing services from the Oaks Resource Centre and Keighley Health Centre as well as a pharmacy, a NHS dentist, equipment hire, x-ray and ECG checks.

Services for voluntary and community groups will also be provided from the new centre.

John Chuter, chair of NHS Bradford and Airedale, said: “This is one of the most exciting projects of the coming year and we are delighted to be working so closely with our partners at Bradford Council.

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“Our priority is to design effective health and social care pathways and to provide a one-stop-shop that addresses the needs of people within the communities of Keighley.

“Partners from the voluntary sector are also engaged with us and it is my firm belief that if we can make this work in Keighley then it will serve as a template for further partnering throughout the patch.”

As well as being asked what services should and should not be included in the new centre, people are being asked about its location.

People can air their views on the proposed centre at a joint meeting of Bradford Council’s Health Improvement and Social Care Committees on February 16 at 5pm in Keighley Town Hall.

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A series of public meetings has also been arranged on: February 24 at 7pm in the main hall at Keighley College, Cavendish Street; March 16 at 2pm at Victoria Hall, Hard Ings Road; and March 18 at 7pm at Highfield community centre, Drewry Road.

Dale Smith, executive member for adult and community services, at Bradford Council said: “It is important that through the consultation the people of Keighley are able to tell us what social care services and support are needed to help people keep well, safe and independent.”