Public consultation over which services will be included in a new health development in Coventry began yesterday.
Coventry Teaching Primary Care Trust (PCT) plans to build a city centre facility under the new NHS Local Improvement Finance Trust scheme, which has already delivered new buildings in Longford and Keresley.
But this is believed to be the biggest and most ambitious project of its kind in Britain.
During a threemonth consultation, the PCT is inviting people to have their say over the services proposed for the new health centre.
Five options which range from a small development with some essential services, such as an NHS Walk- In Centre, to a large new building with services considered essential plus a range of outpatient services are being considered.
Whatever its size, the new centre will be built on part of the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital site, but its final location has yet to be confirmed.
Two public meetings have been organised for people to find out more and ask questions about the process.
The first will be held at the Central Methodist Hall, in Coventry, on September 27 at
6.30pm. A second meeting will be staged at St Peter's Hall, Hillfields, on October 8 at 1.30pm.
Mike Attwood, joint chief executive of the PCT, said: "This is a genuine opportunity for people to tell us what health services they want to see in the city centre.
" There is a wide range of options to choose from, and they have been developed by the PCT and through close collaboration with University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust.
"One of the key parts of the modern NHS is more care in the community and closer to people's homes and this new building can help make this a reality for Coventry."
The 12-week consultation period will close on November 27, and once completed the results will be presented to the PCT's board.
