Major extension planned for Stratford Health Centre

PLANS are under way for an extra building to be erected alongside the Stratford Health Centre to house many of the town's doctors and other health professionals, creating a one-stop health shop.
The Stratford Health Trust, which is behind the project, says such a facility will help attract health professionals to the town and be an asset to the community.
At the Stratford District Council Policy and Services meeting last week it was proposed the project receive an interest free loan from council of $400,000 over 20 years.
Trust chairman John Edwards said the plan is to bring as many health services as possible to the one spot.
"By being together doctors can assist each other and the ambulance bay will be next door."
The new facility will be built on the south side of the present health centre, on a lawn area bordering Romeo St and backing up the ambulance bay.
It will be 600 square metres in size and will contain 10 consulting rooms, three treatment rooms, a minor surgery room, a nurses' station, a reception area, childrens' waiting room and a staff room.
The Stratford Health Trust was set up in 2002, to administer funds left after the demise of the old Stratford Hospital.
About three years ago the idea arose to add to the current District Health Board complex with an extension to be known as the Stratford Community Health Centre.
"We needed such a project to ensure we could attract health professionals to a rural area like Stratford, to make the town more attractive for GPs to come and practice," said Mr Edwards.
He said five of the six GPs at present practicing in Stratford have expressed interest in moving their practices into the new enterprise.
"All existing services at the health centre will be retained and in some instances enhanced."
"There will be more rooms available for outside specialists to have outpatient appointments."
"The area health board will be setting up two oral heath rooms with supporting mobile dentist units to service schools in remote areas."
"There will be a renal dialysis chair available, something new for the area."
"Special soundproof audio rooms will be for public and private hearing treatment and there will be midwifery rooms established."
"There will also be an extension of mental health facilities for the area," he added.
The Taranaki District Health Board and the trust will be in talks regarding the administration of the complex and ways to work together.
He said the loan from council would give confidence in the project to external funding bodies. Funding providers are now being sought to meet the remainder of construction costs.
Mr Edwards said work on the new facility might begin at the end of this year.