Joint service centre delay as testing continues

Aston Joint Service Centre, in Worksop Road, will be home to the Swallownest Health Centre GP Practice, a Lloyds Pharmacy, a public library and home for various council services.

It was set to open its doors today, but the date has now been put back to Monday, June 21.

A spokesman for Rotherham Council said: "Some residents may be aware that the centre was planned to open on Monday, May 17.

"However, to ensure that customers continue to experience excellent service levels, the opening date of the joint service centre has been postponed to June 21.

"This is to provide time to carry out full testing of the new facilities and to avoid the possibility of teething problems that can occur when new premises are opened."

People visiting the joint service centre will be able to report problems, pay utility and council tax bills and housing rents.

As well as being able to make GP appointments, residents will also be able to book times for services such as physiotherapy, community nursing, health visiting, speech and language therapy and community dental services.

Councillor Ken Wyatt, Rotherham Council's cabinet member for resources, said: "We are very pleased to be opening the Aston Joint Service Centre and being able to provide improved access to public services in the Aston and Swallownest area.

"We really hope that once it has opened, the building will become the hub of the community, where people can visit their doctor, obtain their prescriptions from the pharmacy, visit the library and also request council services, all in one visit."