Doncaster’s biggest LIFT Centre received a royal seal of approval on Tuesday 20 October, when HRH The Duke of Kent visited a new £7m health centre in Edlington.
The duke officially opened the landmark Martinwells Centre, which is home to a range of NHS and Doncaster Council services under one roof.
During the tour of the two-storey health centre, which houses two GP practices serving more than 9,000 patients, the duke stopped and talked to a number of people based in the building, including staff from both practices.
Before leaving the building, the Duke of Kent unveiled a commemorative plaque and signed the visitors’ book.
NHS services provided from the building include district nursing, health visiting, school nursing, baby clinic, counselling, orthopaedic assessment, physiotherapy, foot health and sexual health.
The building is the seventh to be opened through the Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) programme across Doncaster.
NHS Doncaster Chairman Roger Greenwood,said: “We are delighted the duke agreed to visit Edlington and see the flagship Martinwells Centre and the excellent services it provides.
“It was a memorable day for the village and for the public- and private- sector partners, who have brought this building off the drawing board and made it a key focal point of local life.”
Pat Higgs, Doncaster Council’s Assistant Director for Neighbourhoods, said: “We are pleased to offer the people of Edlington this state-of-the-art building right in the heart of their community. This facility ensures residents are able to access help and support more conveniently, and staff are located here to deliver these services locally.”
David Liggins, the independent chair of Doncaster Community Solutions, said: “This spectacular development is making a real difference to the quality of life of Edlington people.
“The services provided match the first-class feel of the centre, and we hope this new landmark will be a focus of the revitalisation of this part of Doncaster.”
