New Children’s Healthcare Centre opens

“Dental Clinics will start Mid-August and from the beginning of September, outpatient services will begin.”

“We would not be here today without the incredible work that has been done by all the incredibly dedicated teams and the GHA. This is not the result of one person or group of people, this is result of everybody at the GHA, at all levels working together to see the results that are here today.”

The health centre was primarily designed with the children’s comfort in mind, with the intention of introducing a nice environment for children when they might not want to go to the doctor. There are lots of illustrations everywhere and a variety of colours for patients to feel nice and comfortable in the new facility.

“As you can see it’s modern, it's airy, it’s spacious and it’s child friendly.”

Another primary objective was to make this Children’s Health Facility close to the Primary Care Centre, which it certainly accomplishes with it being located at Europort Building No.9. The dental clinics also have a nice view of the bay of Gibraltar for both patients and for practitioners, to which the Chief Minister pointed out when on the tour of all the rooms.

Mr Costa continued by saying, “For parents who might be confused, patients will continue to go to the Primary Care Centre and the services that we will be providing here in phase one will be by appointment.”

In regards to accessibility and parking, Mr Costa stated, “By the time the outpatient clinics begin [in early September], there will be an accessible lift just outside these grounds and parking spaces will be allocated specifically for our patients.”

“This is an immensely proud moment. This is a manifesto pledge and the government have always thought that the healthcare of children ought to be delivered in a space that is designed primarily for them.”

Chief Minister Fabian Picardo was also proud to introduce phase one of the children’s health centre, saying, “It has taken us 8 years from pitch on the table to deliver this children's healthcare facility, but my goodness have those 8 years delivered a magnificent facility.”

“To the accusation that my government spends money, I plead guilty as charged! But I think that the whole of the community would agree that this is the best way to spend the people’s money; on our children and delivering this magnificent facility for them.”

The facility will start providing Children’s Healthcare today, Dentistry in Mid-August and Outpatient services early September along with an accessible lift and allocated parking for patients and parents.

17-07-19 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR