BRIDGWATER residents will benefit the surrounding area for a new health and wellbeing hub that has opened in the town this winter.

The exciting new development, which is located in the former Victoria Park medical centre building, provides a range of services for people of all ages, from pre-natal to end of life care.

The hub is run by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the Bridgwater Bay Primary Care Network – which is where GP practices work together with community, mental health, social care, pharmacy, hospital and voluntary services in the local are to meet the needs of individual patients.

The idea of the hub is to provide equal access to health advice and support for all patients to empower them to manage their own long term conditions.

Rachel Cheetham, the Victoria Park Health and Wellbeing Hub manager, said: “We’re very excited to have opened our doors to the local community this winter.

“The main aim of the hub is to give people the confidence to look after their own health, so they are less likely to need care and treatment from their GP or hospital."

“We operate an open-door arrangement where people can drop in if they need any help with their general wellbeing, as well as offering a range of pre-booked appointments."

“Our friendly patient care coordinators welcome people into the hub and support them with their individual needs. This could include signposting them to supportive services within health, social care, or the voluntary sector.

“The full range of services available at the hub is being reviewed all the time and we want to hear feedback from those in our local community so we can truly meet peoples’ needs.

“However, we do already know that this will include community midwifery, health coaches and chronic disease reviews, alongside early emotional and mental health support for people of all ages.

“We’re also fortunate that the hub sits within the wider footprint of the Victoria Park Community Centre, Little Adventurers Nursery and JHoots Pharmacy, which opens up opportunities to work closely together.”

Michael Bainbridge, associate director of primary care at NHS Somerset, which commissions services at the hub, said: “When the Victoria Park GP practice closed, we undertook extensive public and stakeholder engagement to seek feedback and listen to local people and communities about what the potential futures options for the site could be.

“The development of a health and wellbeing hub will provide a holistic approach to addressing the health and care needs of the local community.”

Please note: The new Victoria Park Health and Wellbeing Hub is not a GP health centre and won’t provide urgent or acute care. Patients who need that level of help should speak to their GP, visit their nearest minor injuries unit, or call NHS 111 if unsure what to do.