Patients who want to learn more about the new treatment centre at Emersons Green can attend an open day at the site this weekend.

The facility will be used for a range of operations, procedures and diagnostic tests on NHS patients, without them having to visit larger hospitals.

The new treatment centre is part of an NHS scheme to reduce waiting times for patients and to provide more choice of where they go for procedures.

Patients can now choose to have treatment anywhere in the UK as part of the NHS Choices scheme. An open day will be held at the Emersons Green site tomorrow to give people the chance to find out more about the centre.

The treatment centre, run UK Specialist Hospitals (UKSH) in the South West, will carry out joint replacements, minor orthopaedic surgery, ophthalmology, gynaecology, ear, nose and throat procedures and dental work.

The new facilities include four operating theatres and 33 inpatient beds.

To attend the open day phone 906 1801 or email sjohnston@uk-sh.co.uk stating a preference to visit the centre either between 10am and midday or midday and 2pm.