New health centre on the way to help regenerate Whitefield

A new health centre will be created on the site of the former Whitefield Library and play an important role in revitalising the town centre.

Council and NHS leaders have completed the related land sale which will enable the move of health services from the current Uplands site, which is in poor condition.

It will also bring back into use the old library site which, apart from being used briefly as a Covid vaccination site, has remained empty since 2017.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, leader of the council, said:

“This is really a win-win situation for Whitefield residents. Buildings which have lain empty for years will be brought back into use, and medical services will remain in the town centre in modern, high-quality premises.

“This is an important site, and we feel that a new health centre, replacing poor and outdated facilities at the Uplands, is something that will be warmly welcomed by many thousands of Whitefield residents.

“This is a key element of the Whitefield Town Plan, which will bring a range of improvements to the town centre and maintain Whitefield’s reputation as an excellent place to live.”

Professor Colin Scales, deputy chief executive NHS Greater Manchester, said:

“This move will give patients in Whitefield and the surrounding area access to a much-improved health centre, in a building that’s more modern, more accessible, and better suited to delivering care today and in the future.

“The current premises at Uplands have served the community for many years but are no longer fit for purpose. This new site will allow staff to work in better conditions and help improve the overall experience for patients.

“We’re pleased to be working with Bury Council to bring this forward as part of a long-term commitment to improving local health services.”

With the site now secured, further work on the scheme is now progressing with the aim of starting on site in late 2025/early 2026 with an estimated building operational date in mid to end of 2027. Patients registered at the Uplands will continue to access services as normal throughout the transition, with no disruption to appointments.

The redevelopment also frees up the Uplands site for potential future use, with further announcements expected as part of the council’s regeneration work.

To read more about the plans for Whitefield, go to Whitefield Town Centre Plan

ENDS

Press release issued: 24 July 2025.