THE new West Gate Centre in Yate has opened to its first patients.

The centre, on West Walk, opened yesterday following delays because of a problem with the new building’s ventilation system.

It was supposed to open at the end of last year but a handful of services opened this week with more moving in before April.

Penny Harris, chief executive of NHS South Gloucestershire, said: "This is a unique facility.

"When all services are up and running, local people will be able to access therapy and hospital outpatient appointments, have an x-ray or get treatment for a minor injury without needing to travel to a hospital as they do now. They will also be able to visit a GP surgery and access council services for families and young people all in one visit."

The centre is a joint venture between NHS South Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire Council and aims to give residents access to a wide range of services in one place.

Cllr Sheila Cook, executive member for children and young people at the council, said: "The centre will bring a large range of health and council services together under one roof, making it much easier for residents to benefit from them."

The centre will include a Sure Start Children’s Centre, youth clinics, maternity services and access to health visitors. There will be treatment rooms, a podiatry clinic, dental services and outpatient clinics and from next month, West Walk Surgery will move into the building and an x-ray facility will open. In April, a minor injuries unit will also be available.

NHS South Gloucestershire estimates that 34,000 appointments will take place at the centre every year instead of at Southmead, Frenchay and city cente hospitals.

Roger Pedley, director of primary and community care, said: "People tell us that they value local services. This will bring a wide range of care closer to people’s homes, and will save patients from having to make many journeys to Frenchay and Southmead."

Local councillors have been taking tours of the new building.

Cllr Sheila Mead (Lib Dem, Chipping Sodbury) said: "It’s light and airy and new and it’s going to bring everything together – including the GP surgery, fracture clinics, X-rays, physiotherapy and a Sure Start centre.

"I do have a few concerns - the most-used service, the doctors’ surgery, is on the first floor and the lifts aren’t very large. Also we had expected there to be room for a childminder development worker to meet with childminders in a drop-in centre but there isn’t."

Cllr Sue Hope (Lib Dem, Cotswold Edge) said: "It’s a really exciting opportunity for people in the Yate area to have all the facilities in one building and it’s great to see the different public bodies working together in partnership."

A grand opening of the new centre will be held in May or June after the General Election.