A new £2.5m state-of-the-art medical centre on the Yew Tree estate is ‘just what the doctor ordered’ for local patients. Yew Tree Healthy Living Centre was officially opened on Thursday 26th October 2006 by Councillor Sadie Smith, the Mayor of Sandwell.

The community health centre has been developed by Sandwell Local Improvement Finance Trust Company (LIFTCo) for Sandwell Primary Care Trust under a public private partnership agreement. It houses a range of primary care services, all conveniently located under one roof, in the heart of the community.

Yew Tree Healthy Living Centre opened its doors to patients in the summer and took 13 months to build. The Mayor unveiled a commemorative plaque at an event for staff and patients marking the official opening of the facility.

Lee Clayton, Sandwell LIFTCo’s general manager who spoke at the event said: “Yew Tree Healthy Living Centre is great news for the people of the Yew Tree estate as it will provide better access to a range of community health services, all within a modern and welcoming environment close to their homes. It is the fourth Sandwell LIFTCo facility to open in the last 18 months and is part of our £10.5m public private programme of investment in new healthcare facilities to date.”

Richard Nugent, chair of Sandwell PCT added: “We were delighted to welcome Councillor Sadie Smith to official open this modern new building, which has allowed us to provide a range of health services on the doorstep of Yew Tree residents, who have never had a health centre before. It is sure to benefit local patients and their health for generations to come.”

Yew Tree Healthy Living Centre opened its doors to patients in the summer and took 13 months to build.

Services provided in the new centre:

• Health visitors
• District nursing
• Family doctors
• Baby clinic
• Smoking cessation
• Citizens Advice
• Cr8, a young persons' drama and dance group for Residents
• Yew Tree and Tame Bridge Partnership