A NEW health centre in Tavistock is set to open its doors to patients at the end of May, after months of building work.

Tavyside Health Centre, the amalgamation of Wharfside Surgery and Stannary Surgery, has been built on the grounds of the existing Stannary Surgery on Abbey Rise and will be welcoming its first patients on May 31.

The finishing touches and preparations are well underway to ensure the building is ready for staff and patients at the end of May.

Building work has progressed as planned since its start last spring, despite the opening date moving from originally planned due to a delayed start and the severe winter weather in December.

Doctors and staff at Tavyside say they are pleased with how the building is looking and are looking forward to working in their new environment after having to make a few compromises along the way, with some having to work from portable cabins for the last 18 months.

The new facilities in the building will include the usual clinical facilities as well as full disabled access, lifts for staff and patients, its own in-house pharmacy and lots of children's facilities, including a buggy park, soft play area and baby changing room.

The top floor of the building also contains a conference centre and training suite, with a balcony and views over the river and the town, which will be available for private hire from early September.

Tavistock's Sure Start Children's Centre is preparing to move in to their new workplace too, from their current base at Kilworthy Park. The centre has its own dedicated facilities at Tavyside, where parents and carers can bring their young children along for help and advice or just some playtime.

Tavyside will also be the home to Tavistock's Health Visiting Team and Midwifery Team, as well as community nurses.

Building work is also on schedule for the new patients car park, which will be open for both cars and bicycles six weeks after the the opening of the health centre, once the old Stannary Surgery building has been removed.