Services were up and running at a new health centre for the first time yesterday.

Flint’s new Health and Well-being Centre, on Earl Street, opened its doors to the public from 9am.

Plenty of eager residents took a walk to the new facility to see the state-of-the-art building for themselves.

The long awaited opening of the £5million community health centre was set for last month, but was delayed after the building’s copper piping was stolen in February.

Residents told the Leader they were relieved the centre has now opened, as the community felt it had been left somewhat in the dark following the closure of Flint Cottage Hospital in 2016.

But the new health centre is the epitome of detailed planning, hard-work, and modernity, according to James Duckers, health centre project manager.

He said: “The health centre is good news for Flint. To have a facility like this on people’s doorsteps is great. But the health centre can be used by all of Flintshire – not just Flint residents.

“We had a big open day last week and from what we heard, local residents were very positive. The facility is purpose-built, and when you walk around it you can see the level of specification put into it. All patients seem to be pleased with the space.”

Mr Duckers, and assistant manager Nicola Ledsham said exciting times are ahead as services will be fully launched in the coming weeks, and the former Flint surgeries, The Laurels and Eyton Place, will be fully integrated into the new health centre this week.

At present, the centre serves 11,000 of the 15,000 constituents who live in Flint.

Mr Duckers said the facility is host to a range of unique services, including secondary-care audiology, heart failure outpatient appointments, and oxygen therapy, which will “save the trip” to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Denbighshire.

The Leader asked Flint residents their thoughts on the opening of the new health centre.

Nigel Moxon, of Flint, said: “I think it’s a good thing. My wife is diabetic so has a few issues and it saves going to Holywell or Glan Clwyd – it is on your doorstep.

“It would obviously be a benefit if there were beds in the Old Cottage Hospital – that was a shame when it shut down.”

Robert Williams, of Flint, said: “It’s got to be better than what we already have here. But I think it’s just going to be a bigger waiting room, isn’t it?”

For Ray Renshaw, of Flint, the former Cottage Hospital needed replacing and “they did a good job” with the new health centre.

Jillyan Chadbourne, also of Flint, said: “I think it will benefit the community. It’s a very good thing because people can go with all sorts of issues – ears, eyes, blood tests, and surgeries.”

Dr Peter Higson, chair of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “The Health Board and Read Construction have worked well in partnership together to produce this facility.

“It has cost £5m funded by Welsh Government and it will be officially opened in the summer.”