One-stop community services set for use

Aston Joint Service Centre, in Worksop Road, houses the Swallownest Health Centre GP practice, a branch of Lloyds Pharmacy, a public library and a variety of community health services.

The centre was originally set to open on Monday, May 17, but the opening was delayed to enable staff to carry out a full testing of the new facilities. That was done in time for it to open on Monday.

Emma Royle, Aston Joint Service Centre project lead for NHS Rotherham, said: "We are taking health and council services and putting them into the heart of the community, providing improved access and facilities for local residents. People will be able to see their GP, pick up a prescription from the pharmacy, visit the library and pay their Council Tax and receive benefits advice all in one visit."

Visitors to the centre will have access to Rotherham Council services including housing benefits, council tax and Streetpride. As well as being able to make GP appointments, residents will also be able to book services such as physiotherapy, community nursing, health visiting, speech and language therapy and community dental services.

Councillor Ken Wyatt, Cabinet member for resources at Rotherham Council, said: "I was one of the 2,000 or more people who attended the recent open day and I, like them, was really impressed by such a high-quality facility. It really is a major asset for local people right on their doorstep.

"We really hope that 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. "