Bideford’s £127,000 health centre in Abbotsham Road, which will accommodate all the existing general practitioners in the town, is to open on October 2nd.

It has nine consulting and examination suites and it will also accommodate the local health authority services, which will be transferred from the sub-standard clinic accommodation now in use in Coronation Road. In addition to accommodation for chiropodists, health visitors and the local authority doctor, there will be a health education room and facilities for ante-natal and child health sessions, cervical cytology, ophthalmic and speech therapy, and family planning advice.
The centre will also have a dental suite and rooms for an educational psychologist and an education welfare officer, as well as interview facilities for other departments.
The £127,000 cost includes furniture and equipment.
On the same day another centre is to be opened at Kingskerswell. Both have been designed by the County Architect, Mr Ben Thompson, and his staff and they bring to 32 the total provided by Devon County Council. This is more than any other local authority in the country.