1 October 2007

Phase three of the £12m North Ormesby Health Village, which has transformed primary care services in a regeneration area in Middlesbrough, and was forward funded by Assura Property, has been officially opened.

The new Helen Britton House, named after the well-known local campaigner for sexual assault victims, is the only purpose built Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) in the country and one of only 14 dedicated centres in total.

It will not only transform the way in which vulnerable men and women receive care, support and counselling, but will hopefully also increase the chances of bringing the perpetrators of sexual crimes to justice.

The new Centre will be accessible 24 hours a day for victims who contact the police or seek help from health, social care or voluntary organisations. It is located on Trinity Mews at the North Ormesby Health Village which is home to GP services, PCT clinical services, an integrated Assura Pharmacy, opticians, renal dialysis and dental services.

Sarah Vera Baird, Solicitor General and MP for Redcar said: “With the best will in the world the kind of facilities which have existed in the past, based within police stations, have not necessarily provided that kind of supportive environment.

“It is vital that victims of traumatic crimes such as rape and other sexual assaults know that there is somewhere they can go where they will get the best possible expert medical care and counselling – and where their dignity and privacy will be totally respected.”

Helen Britton House is a partnership project between Assura Property, who provided the building, Cleveland Police Authority, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, North Tees and Redcar and Cleveland PCTs and voluntary sector partners EVA and the Women’s Support Network.

ENDS.

Press enquiries regarding Assura Group and Assura Property to:
Andrew McKeon, AJM Public Relations.

Tel: 01423 734 560;
Mobile: 07802 484 155

Louise Bathersby, Assura Group.
Tel: 020 7107 3830