IT has been hailed as health care for the 21st century, and now Leigh Primary Care Centre is set to open its doors to the community it will serve.

The multi-million pound high-tech health centre is part of a campaign to improve NHS buildings, both locally and nationally.

The first of its kind in this area, Leigh Primary Care Centre will revolutionize the way people use local health services, according to health chiefs.

For the first time, patients will find their GP in the same building as other health professionals, including district nurses, health visitors, blood-taking services and midwives.

Previously, these services were offered at different locations in the community by South East Essex Primary Care Trust, or required a time-consuming visit to the local hospital.

Staff from the local Pall Mall GP Practice are moving into Leigh Primary Care Centre this week, and other NHS services - currently at Leigh Clinic in Burnham Road - are moving in over the coming fortnight.

Kate Halliday, centre manager at Leigh Primary Care Centre, says: "It is a very exciting time. We have been planning and developing this centre for more than three years and are now open for business.

"I think it will completely change the experience patients have when using primary care services."

The centre, at 918 London Road, was developed following public consultation where local people were asked the sort of things they would like to see in a so-called "one-stop-shop" health centre.

"It will be a great new environment to work in," says Dr Tony Dickens, from the Pall Mall surgery. I think both staff and patients will be happier, and it will greatly improve our ability to provide health care to the people of Leigh.

He continues: "It will also enable us to have a closer working relationship with our other primary care colleagues and the new premises will also allow greater opportunities for teaching junior doctors, students and nurses." Service director Sarah St Pierre is responsible for the services offered in the centre.

She says: "This new centre will enable our staff to offer a wide range of services in a purpose-built health centre.

"They can work with GPs and other health professionals to develop integrated services for the local community.

"Our aim is to provide the best possible care which is easily accessible for people of all ages."

Andrew Pike, chief executive of South East Essex Primary Care Trust, says the centre is the first of many planned for south east Essex, with work already starting on one in Canvey.

"Across the area, we are working with partner organisations to develop new and better facilities for NHS health services," he explains.

"As well as this development in Leigh, we have a primary care centre under construction on Canvey and have more planned for Westcliff, Rayleigh, Shoebury, and a second centre on Canvey."

He added: "I think that residents will really notice a significant difference in the way health services are provided to them locally. This really is a taste of the future."

An official opening ceremony will be held for Leigh Primary Care Centre in July, on the 60th anniversary of the NHS.