THE new Yate Health Centre will include family services aimed at combating child abuse, it was revealed this week.

The £12million two-storey futuristic building will house everything parents could need from a Boots pharmacy to parenting advice clinics.

At an exhibition explaining what will be included in the development on West Walk, Nick Aslett, head of locality services at South Gloucestershire Council, said the joint venture between the authority and the NHS was in response to the death of eight-year-old Victoria Climbie in 2000.

He told the Gazette: "There has been a groundswell of legislation about how we deliver services since then and the recent case of Baby P has once again highlighted the importance of supporting vulnerable children and families.

"We are working in an integrated way on the health centre with police, schools, the NHS and other bodies to share information more effectively so hopefully we can avoid tragedies like the deaths of these children."

A children’s hub within the health centre, which is due to open in the autumn, will include a SureStart centre which offers stay and play sessions, a Connexions drop-in office, youth clinics, maternity services and access to health visitors.

Added Mr Aslett: "Working from these hubs, of which there will be two others in Kingswood and in Severnvale, is to make sure we do not send people from pillar to post.

"If they walk in the door to the health centre with a question they will be able to get an answer."

In all, 160 staff will be based at the centre solely dealing with children’s services.

Ian Longden, project manager for NHS South Gloucestershire, said the whole building, which is half way to completion, would be open to everyone.

He said: "It is not just for the people who are registered with West Walk Surgery, it is for anyone from the Yate locality.

"We still want to hear from those with experiences of a particular condition or service about how they think we should do things."

The health centre, which is to be renamed in a public competition, will also house GP surgeries, an x-ray facility, treatment rooms, podiatry clinic and a minor injuries unit.

A Boots pharmacy will open on site with staff being moved from the Alliance shop on West Walk.

"There will be a dispensary, consultation facilities and pharmacy facilties," said Ben Williams, area pharmacy manager.

"We will offer medicine check-ups so if a doctor is not available patients can go to the pharmacy rather than wait for an appointment."

To comment on the plans for the health centre email pauline.boyd@sglos-pct.nhs.uk or write to 1 Monarch Court, Emersons Green, South Gloucestershire, BS16 7FH.