Many people still refer to the area around the junction of Wellington Road and Prouds Lane, Bilston as ‘The Clinic’ because of the Centre Health Clinic that was once based there. The building, which still stands, is now Bilston’s Community Centre, occupied by Bilston Community Association. The building now has a hall with a seating capacity of 130, meeting rooms, a computer room, a kitchen, and a car park at the rear with ten parking places. It was Locally Listed in March 2000.

The Centre Health Clinic was designed by E. D. Lyons, L. Israel and C. H. Elsom, A.A.A.R.I.B.A., architects of London. The General Contractors were W. Kendrick & Sons Limited of Walsall. The building was designed to enable the council to provide the best possible health services for the local community and to provide ideal working conditions for the Medical Officer of Health and his staff.


From an old postcard.

The architects realised that it was necessary to create a bright and airy building that would have the desired psychological effect on mothers and infants alike. Luckily an excellent site was available and the very modern design soon became a reality. The focal point of the building was the central waiting hall, surrounded by the various departments, giving immediate access to the respective surgeries. There was also a large courtyard that was used as a playground for the children in warm weather.

The following departments were housed in the following three wings:

Wellington Road Wing
Ante-natal room and waiting room.
Toddlers' room and weighing room.
Doctors suite.

Prouds Lane Wing
Dental surgery and recovery room.
Ophthalmic surgery and ultra violet ray room.
Room for orthopaedic treatment.
Minor ailments room.

Front Wing
General office.
Room for health visitors.
Kitchen.
Food store and food sales.

There was also a covered pram shelter and a caretaker’s house at the rear.


A plan of the building.

The Centre Health Clinic was officially opened on Wednesday 28th February, 1940 by the Countess of Harrowby and founded as the final stage in the centralisation of Bilston's maternity and child welfare.

At the opening ceremony, the Mayor (Alderman W. Leighton) described the opening as the "fulfilment of the dream of Alderman Hughes and a monument to the late Alderman Fellows, who strove for years, to reduce infantile mortality in the town."


From the booklet produced for the official opening.

The health staff consisted of B. C. Haller, Medical Officer of Health and School Medical Officer; Jane A. Nagle, Ante-Natal Clinic Consultant; P. G. H. Griffith, School Dental Surgeon; H. Campbell, Ophthalmic Surgeon;  Miss K. E. Silversides, Miss N. R. Hawkins, and Miss N. E. Bradshaw, Health Visitors; Miss O. Hill and Miss D. Evans, School Nurses; Miss E. M. Williams, Dental Attendant; Miss E. J. Beddows, School Medical Service Clerk; and Miss M. J. Corbett, Maternity and Child Welfare Clerk.

 
The caretaker's House at the rear.


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