A long-awaited health hub is set to open this wait - eight years after it was announced.

Horwich Health hub was first announced in 2016 and has been a much-debated development since then. 

Two Horwich GPs will move into the new modern building on Church Road - Pike View and Bolton Community Practice's Market Surgery.

There will also be community health services. 

Dates have been announced for the opening of the surgeries and services. 

The hub will see both GPs open this monthThe hub will see both GPs open this month (Image: United Healthcare Developments Ltd)

Officials say Bolton Community Practice is expected to open on August 21 and Pike View will open the following week on August 27. 

The week after that, community health services will begin to be delivered from the hub on September 2. 

Dr Anne Talbot of Bolton Community Practice said: "It is a fantastic opportunity for the two GP practices to be able to deliver services alongside a range of community services in one state of the art building. 

Community health services will begin from next monthCommunity health services will begin from next month (Image: Newsquest)

"It is an opportunity to collaborate as professionals as well and provide a quality experience, which we hope will lead to future improvement of retainment and recruitment of health professionals within Horwich." 

A range of community health services will be delivered from the centre, including district nurses, midwifery, physiotherapy, podiatry and Greater Manchester Mental Health community services. 

Dr Talbot said: "The foyer area will have self check-in screens, but there are also still receptionists, including a lower desk for wheelchair users. 

Read more: Work on 'long awaited' health hub to finish soon with new car park plans put forward

Read more: ‘They deserve recognition’ the kind caring staff praised by inspectors

Read more: Why a GP surgery is bringing in change to patient booking system amid mixed reaction

An accessible sink in a toilet, which can move up or downAn accessible sink in a toilet, which can move up or down (Image: Newsquest)

"Everything has been done bearing in mind everyone's individual needs. 

"There is also an admin and training area on the top floor, it is a great opportunity for doctors to to collaborate as professionals. 

"One of the problems we have in some practices is medical students, doctors in training and doctors about to become GPs are significantly lacking in space to to study and train. This building will be an excellent experience for them." 

United Healthcare Developments Ltd is the company behind the construction of the building. 

Courtyard at the front of the buildingCourtyard at the front of the building (Image: Newsquest)

The building has solar panels, LED lights which adjust depending on the ambient lighting outside and is well-insulated, with triple glazing and a heat recovery ventilation system. 

Chris Proctor-Smith, the company's operations director, said: "It is a BREEAM Outstanding building, which is the highest sustainability rating you can get.

"It has an A+ energy performance, making it carbon net zero - it makes more electricity than the building consumes. 

"It is the most energy efficient primary care centre in the UK." 

Pike View's reception deskPike View's reception desk (Image: Newsquest)

A total of 101 parking spaces are marked out, with a further 99 to be built. 

Chris added: "One area of the car park has extra reinforcement, meaning it could potentially have a mobile diagnostic unit and it has data, power, water and drainage supplies ready for that. 

"It is all about the future, getting more service in primary care and hopefully avoiding more pressure on hospitals." 

Both the interior and exterior have been built with patients' wellbeing in mind as well, with "calming colours" being chosen and an attempt to make the building as airy as possible. There are also benches and birdboxes outside.