MALVERN'S newest health centre opens its doors to patients on Monday, February 25.

Prospect View, on the junction of Pickersleigh Road and Madresfield Road, provides a new home for the doctors' practices currently based at Court Road, Barnards Green, and Malvern Health Centre in Malvern Link.

Staff at both practices have been working hard to make sure the move goes as smoothly as possible. Letters have gone out to some 19,000 patients telling them of the new arrangements.

At the hub of the transfer are the two practice managers, David Jago at Malvern Health Centre and Lyn Norman at Court Road.

"We are both delighted that we are now able to transfer into our new surgeries," said Mr Jago. "We have worked long and hard to bring our plans to fruition.

"We would like to say a big thank-you to all our staff and patients for their understanding whilst we have been bringing our new and spacious building into operation, backed with the most modern information systems."

The surgeries at the Prospect View site will be known as Malvern Health Centre and New Court Surgery.

Paul Bates, chief executive of Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, said: "The trust has invested over £600,000 per annum in improving health care at these practices. A range of community staff will also be moving from the old Malvern Health Centre.

"These include district nurses, health visitors for children and elderly, school nurses, podiatry and occupational therapists. Chiropody at Storer Court, Malvern and Malvern Dental Access Centre will be moving to Prospect View within the next few weeks."