£1m from NHS for rugby club health centres

Health officials in Hull are hoping to improve the health of thousands more residents by joining forces with the city's professional rugby clubs.

As first reported on the Mail's website yesterday, NHS Hull has agreed to invest £1m in health and lifestyle facilities at the clubs.

This will include services such as smoking cessation, weight management support and NHS health checks, as well as healthy lifestyle advice.

The move was widely debated by the NHS Hull board before the plans were given the go-ahead.

The decision means NHS Hull will invest £700,000 in creating a new health and lifestyle centre at Hull FC's old ground, the Boulevard, west Hull, which is expected to benefit more than 9,000 people every year.

The club, which will continue to use the KC Stadium for home matches, looks set to use the Boulevard for training, relocating from Brantingham Park in Elloughton.

It is in negotiations with Hull City Council over the formalities of the lease.

Hull KR will also benefit from NHS Hull's investment as £300,000 will be ploughed into setting up health and lifestyle facilities at the club's Craven Park ground in east Hull as part of an expansion of the East Stand.

It is expected to benefit almost 4,000 people each year.

Dr Neil Pease, assistant director of earning and leaning at NHS Hull, said: "We have done extensive consultation and I think this is a fantastic example of putting services at the heart of the community where they should be.

"By matching the NHS brand with these Super League clubs, I think it clearly demonstrates how the NHS is modernising to deliver services.

"We are extremely delighted with the board's decision, which is undoubtedly the right decision for the people of Hull."

Hull FC chief executive James Rule welcomed the decision and said: "We are delighted that the NHS has approved the Boulevard site.

"Discussions are ongoing with Hull City Council with regards to the lease and further details will be made available as and when."

Hull KR chief executive and chairman Neil Hudgell said: "We are delighted. It will pave the way for some much needed facilities at Craven Park and east Hull."

The facilities at the Boulevard are expected to be open by September 1, 2010, with NHS Hull occupying the site from January 12, 2011.

The extension of the East Stand at Craven Park will be subject to planning permission and has been "factored into Hull KR's plans for the wider redevelopment of the ground".