Deprived ward to get new health centre (From Gazette)

Deprived ward to get new health centre

10:50am Friday 30th October 2009 in

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THE search is on for the ideal location for a new community health facility in Clacton town centre.

Clacton’s Pier ward is listed as one of the most deprived area’s of the country and it is hoped a new multi-agency centre will help cut down on health inequalities.

A report by Essex County Council said some services at the site could include benefits advice, immunisations, child health checks, mental health services, obesity management programmes, perinatal health advice, phlebotomy, podiatry, sexual health advice, and stop smoking services.

There could also be a community kitchen, similar to the one used in celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food television show, aimed at inspiring people to get back into the kitchen and learn how to cook.

The centre could be used to put on photographic and art exhibitions.

It is hoped the facility will be in a central location, with good transport links, and be able to provide a range of services.

It will be an expansion into Clacton of the Cornerstone concept – an information, advice and support service in St Isaac’s Walk, Colchester.

Alison Amstutz, senior public health specialist at NHS North East Essex, said: “While no definite date can yet be put on its opening, a lot of preparation work is going on behind the scenes.

“We are currently working on a number of issues, including the search for a suitable site, which have to be addressed before the project can become a reality.”