THIS is how a new Horwich 'health hub' could look - under plans revealed today.

A public consultation exercise over a new health and wellbeing hub for Horwich is now in full swing.

Blueprints have been drawn up for a facility on land opposite the new leisure centre in Victoria Road, with a 170-space car park.

The site in question, occupied by the old and now demolished leisure centre, has been occupied by travellers for the past week or more.

Under the proposals, Pikes View Medical Centre and Bolton Community Practice, would relocate to the centre, to join up with community services provided by the Royal Bolton Hospital Foundation Trust.

Supporters say the new health centre would provide a number of health and wellness benefits to the local community, including high-quality clinical services and treatment in a fully dementia friendly and accessible centre.

Primary care staff such as pharmacists, physicians, nurses and mental health practitioners, alongside services such as podiatry, mental health support, health visiting, occupational therapy and midwifery will work from there.

Plans could also see MR scanning offered at the hub instead of a hospital setting. And long-stay parking for town centre users, called for in a previous consultation, is being considered.

Cllr Martyn Cox, council deputy leader, said: “This is a great opportunity for residents in Horwich to have their say on the proposed plans for a health hub. It is very important that the vision for the hub is shaped by the people and communities who would use the facilities and services it could deliver.”

Dr Anne Talbot, clinical drector, Bolton Community Practice, added: "This is an enormously exciting 'once-in-a-lifetime' opportunity to develop a facility for the Horwich community which is fit for the future needs of the population and ultimately aims to provide the bedrock for an improvement in the health and wellbeing outcomes of the people of Horwich.”

The consultation can be accessed online at www.investinbolton.com/Horwichhealthhub