Cheltenham's new healthcare facilities at The Wilson Health Centre will be officially opened by the Mayor of Cheltenham at a ceremony on September 29.

The Wilson Health Centre is home to three of the town's GP surgeries, Berkeley Place Surgery, Prestbury Park Medical and Royal Crescent Surgery, and patients are already benefitting from the new premises which opened in June.

The Mayor will meet staff, patients and community partners who have worked with commitment and inspiration to create the health centre before cutting a ribbon and taking a short tour of the premises.

Located on Prestbury Road, the centre has been created and constructed to be accessible, attractive and environmentally friendly, making positive impacts on the surrounding natural environment. Resources such as water and energy are being used efficiently, and ethical, sustainable materials have been used as much as possible.

The practices are now providing care to around 25,000 local people, offering both GP surgery services alongside a range of other healthcare services such as an onsite pharmacy, dental services, physiotherapy, social prescribing and rooms to rent.

The centre also includes additional consulting and treatment rooms to accommodate the growing demand for primary care services.

This is enabling the practices to share resources, work more flexibly and offer extended opening times to patients. It also means that significantly more doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals can receive training.

Dr Jim Ropner, partner at Berkeley Place Surgery, said: "We are delighted to mark the formal opening of The Wilson Health Centre with this event, which gives us the opportunity to recognise and appreciate the tremendous achievement of all those involved.

"I would like to thank the many local people, staff, patient groups, builders and architects who have worked so hard and creatively to make this a reality."

Dr Sanjay Shyamapant, partner at Prestbury Park Medical, said: "After many years of careful planning with Berkley Place Surgery and Royal Crescent Surgery, we are delighted to be officially open and providing services from our fantastic new premises.

"We are extremely grateful to BKBS and Carl Dean Associates and to our patients for their contributions that have helped us create our wonderful new health centre. It will really help us to provide high quality care and services to our patients for years to come."

Dr Phil Kurlbaum, partner at Royal Crescent Surgery, said: "The new building is allowing us to provide the best possible care in a modern, comfortable environment, and yet we are still able to maintain the welcoming and comfortable environment we know our patients appreciate.

"It is great to mark and celebrate the official opening, and I would like to thank everyone involved in creating this centre, including our dedicated practice teams for their excellent support and understanding throughout a period of change."

Director of Primary Care and Place at NHS Gloucestershire, Helen Goodey, said: "NHS Gloucestershire is delighted to have backed this exciting development which gives healthcare in Cheltenham a major boost. We are thrilled that the GP surgeries are now offering services from their superb new premises.

"Patients can look forward to receiving high quality care in a great environment whilst the healthcare professionals are much better supported in delivering this. We too would like to thank all of those involved in bringing this project to fruition."

The Wilson Health Centre was given its name in recognition of the famous Cheltenham-born and educated doctor and Arctic explorer who died with Captain Scott in 1912.