A NEW integrated health centre could be up and running in Stockton by 2013.

Stockton Borough Council’s cabinet committee and the Board of NHS Stockton have discussed plans for a centre on Alma Street, where medical services are currently being run.

This scheme is part of the Momentum: pathways to healthcare, which is a programme of redesigning a healthcare system which provides health services in areas near to people’s homes as possible, with only procedures which need to be done in hospitals taking place there.

In addition to this development, the Momentum programme will result in the building of a new hospital at Wynyard and two other integrated healthcare facilities in Hartlepool and Billingham.

Services that could be provided in the health centre, which is due to be opened in 2013, include ambulatory minor injuries, minor operations, X-rays and ultrasounds, pharmacy and paediatric services Health promotion services including stop smoking, healthy eating and exercise, antenatal and postnatal care, falls prevention support and rehabilitation, and community health clinic services could also be offered.

The council’s cabinet committee has given its approval to the scheme in Stockton.

Chris Willis, chief executive of NHS Stockton, said: "NHS Stockton is currently working closely with partners in Stockton Borough Council and North Tees NHS Foundation trust to plan for a range of services to be provided in the new Integrated Care Centre.

"This will mean that services can be more easily accessed by the community within state-of-the-art premises.

"This is an exciting new development that builds on a series of "These plans are for a one-stop centre where people can access a whole range of services, mirroring similar locally-based facilities the PCT and council are proposing elsewhere in the borough. "It will be easily accessible and provide better, more co-ordinated services for local residents."