Social Exclusion Minister, Hilary Armstrong, met NHS patients and staff when she toured the Will Adams Treatment Centre in Gillingham today.

Mrs Armstrong viewed the facilities at the centre which provides day-surgery and out-patient appointments for residents of Medway and Swale. She also met members of the public, centre staff and held a private discussion with local health representatives on NHS funding.

The project was one in a wave of purpose-built treatment centres created under a government initiative to meet modern healthcare needs. The centre is owned and operated through a partnership between the NHS and independent provider, Mercury Health.

With two theatres, a special suite for performing investigations, consulting rooms and a comfortable waiting area the centre helps take the pressure off hospitals, reduce waiting lists and allow people to be treated nearer their homes.

The Will Adams Treatment Centre opened in October 2005 and has already conducted over 2,000 procedures. Mrs Armstrong told reporters that treatment centres embedded in local communities can help deliver vital services for the socially excluded.

She said: “We all live complicated lives and we need to be able to get things organised in a way that fits in with our family, fits in with our work and that’s the way they’re able to organise things here.”

The Cabinet minister said treatment centres like Will Adams could focus on delivering high quality healthcare for local people.

“Socially excluded people are always last in the pile when it comes to receiving support so services that are personalised, that meet people’s needs and are efficient are vital.”

Paul Clark MP said: “The facilities here at the Will Adams Treatment Centre are essential to a modern NHS that caters for people’s needs, that is comfortable, convenient and close to people’s homes.”

“The NHS gets its fair share of stick, but visiting centres like this is eye-opening to the vast postive changes in healthcare that have taken place over the last ten years.”

“This centre and others in Medway provide a comfortable, clean environment with world class facilities. Not only is that what people expect from their local NHS in the 21st century, it is what they are entitled to.”

Lydia Stephens, General Manager of the centre said: “Paul Clark has given us a lot of support since we first opened, and his numerous visits mean all the staff have come to know him.

“We were delighted to receive the minister yesterday. She thanked all the staff who have contributed to the success of the centre and I think we have finally proved that these treatment centres can work both for patients and the public at large.”

Notes to Editors
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