“ The centre will provide accommodation suitable for the 21st century, enhancing the co-ordination and integration of primary and community services in a pleasant environment for patients, visitors and staff."

In an area of social deprivation and need, the opening of the Rowner Health Centre in November 2005, is like a breath of fresh air. The key purpose of this 1021 sq. m. centre is to bring together a range of primary healthcare professionals within a single premise to support and enhance the delivery of primary care services to patients within a facility close to their homes.

Purpose-built to provide improved services to cater for the growing needs of patients in the west of the Rowner area of Gosport, the building replaces a previous centre dated from the 1960s. Following a move to a temporary, modular building to allow for demolition and re-development of the new two-storey premises, the centre is now home to an extensive range of healthcare services as well as a three-GP practice that carries out some 6,500 consultations per annum.

Ian Piper, East Hampshire and Gosport & Havant PCTs’ Interim Chief Executive, said: “The centre provides accommodation suitable for the 21st century, enhancing the co-ordination and integration of primary and community services in a pleasant environment for patients, visitors and staff.” The new centre provides care based on the following principles: family-based practice, evidence and research-based practice, multi-professional clinics and assessments, same-day appointments and appropriate services close to people’s homes to avoid inappropriate journeys.