A NEW £10 million medical centre which will transform health services for Bury patients has taken a major step forward.

Townside Primary Care Centre, which is due to become operational early next year, is now starting to take shape with the installation of the steel work.

The development — opposite Bury Town Hall at the junction of Angouleme Way and Knowsley Street — will become a familiar landmark once the building is finished.

Offering around 70 clinical rooms, the building will extend to more than 4,000 sq metres over several floors.

It will also house the five GP practices currently based at Ribblesdale Medical Centre and Peel Health Centre, together with a host of health and well-being services.

Other services will include audiology, podiatry, child health, minor surgery, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy.

There will also be ready access to over-the-counter medicines and prescription drugs through an on-site pharmacy.

Mr Stephen Mills, chief executive for NHS Bury said: “It is an exciting time for the modernisation of community-based health facilities and services in Bury.

The new premises at Townside Primary Care Centre will mean that we will be able to better cater for the health needs of local people through co-ordinated services in modern, purpose built surroundings.”

The new building is part of a 165,000 sq ft scheme by AskBury, a groundbreaking joint venture company created by Bury Council and Ask Developments.

David Burkinshaw, director of Ask Developments, commented: “We are really pleased with the progress of the construction of the Townside Primary Care Centre.

“This is a major anchor for the scheme and we are confident that when complete the primary care trust will offer first class facilities in a really vibrant, mixed-use location.”