A NEW £13m health centre is being officially opened in Oxford tomorrow following four years of hard work.

The East Oxford Health Centre, in Manzil Way, off Cowley Road, opened its doors to patients in March.

The building, which includes a pharmacy, will be officially opened by Dr Tarrant Stein.

Dr Stein, who retired from the health centre earlier this year, had worked at the site since qualifying as a doctor in 1968.

It is the second health centre in Oxford to be developed under the Government's Lift initiative, following the Leys Health Centre, in Blackbird Leys.

The centre in Manzil Way has become home to both Bartlemas and Dr Steven's surgeries - both of which were previously on the site - as well as various other community care services, including occupational therapists, physiotherapists and social workers.

Dr Peter von Eichstorff, a GP with the Bartlemas surgery, said the response from patients and staff had been positive. He added: "We can now offer an even greater range of quality services in the pleasant and modern surroundings they deserve.

"Such an inspiring building raises the spirits of staff and patients alike."

East Oxford resident Dan Stone, 28, who is registered at the Bartlemas surgery, welcomed the transformation of the Manzil Way site.

Mr Stone said: "I think it's absolutely stunning. It really looks like something from the future and is a great thing for the local community."

The health centre is part of the Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust's (PCT) long term plan to improve health care facilities throughout the county.

Oxfordshire PCT chief executive Andrea Young, said: "We are delighted to be opening this landmark building which offers our patients, our nursing teams and GPs extensive state-of-the-art facilities.

"This building brings together several care services together under one roof and will enable primary and community care services to work closely together to expand health care for the East Oxford community."