WORK has began building the new $1.8million community health centre in Stratford, attached to the present District Health Board Health Centre on Romeo St.
The purpose of the to house many of the town's doctors and other health professionals, creating a one-stop health shop.
Brian Jeffares, Chairman of 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.
The new facility is being 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 physiotherapy suite, a reception area, children's 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.
Mr Jeffares said the new centre marks the future of the delivery of health services, in a smarter and more cost effective way.
Another feature will be soundproof audio rooms for public and private hearing treatment and there will be midwifery rooms established.
The area health board is also setting up two oral heath rooms on the other side of the health centre, with supporting mobile dentist units to service schools in remote areas.
Work also began on this facility last month.
Funding has been sourced from various bodies:
The Taranaki Electricity Trust has put in $300,000, the TSB Community Trust $200,000, Transpower $50,000 and a development levy from Contact Energy, through the Stratford District Council, will provide $700,000.
A 20-year loan from the Stratford District Council of $400,000 completes the funding.
Builders had a few delays after they found a network of concrete tunnels under the building and across to the old nurses home from the old Stratford Hospital.
Mr Jeffares said however the project is still on target to be completed by Christmas.
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