A roof wetting ceremony was held at the eastern urgent care centre (UCC) at Southside yesterday.

And a campaign will soon be launched to name the St. David's facility, set up to provide medical care to people with injuries or illnesses that are not life threatening.

"I am extremely pleased to be celebrating this milestone for our eastern urgent care centre which is on target to open in April," said Health Minister Nelson Bascome.

"We regard today as the beginning of the success story, and in keeping with Government's efforts to recognise those who have contributed to our community, the Ministry of Health will hold an Island-wide competition to name the urgent care facility after one of Bermuda's own."

Government announced plans to build urgent care centres at various points on the Island in November 2007. Behind the initiative was a hope of improving community access to care and relieving some of the pressure in the Emergency Department at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held in July, 2008.

"We are very pleased that this project remains on target and on budget," said Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) chief executive officer David Hill. "Many people across BHB have been involved in this project along with our construction and architectural partners, and we are very pleased to be celebrating a roof wetting.

"While the UCC will open only out-of-hours to begin with, we will have a small diagnostic service open in the day so that people who need blood tests, an x-ray or ultrasound, can have these conveniently close to home rather than travelling to the hospital or other centrally located provider. It is another way we can help bring our care closer to the community."

Persons who are seriously injured or unwell are encouraged to go to KEMH where more extensive diagnostic equipment and surgery is available, medical professionals stressed.

Said BHB chief of staff Donald Thomas III: "While anyone with serious emergency medical needs, such as head injuries or heart attacks, will still need the Emergency Department at King Edward, the urgent care centre will give people with minor conditions who need medical help out-of-hours, a faster, more convenient service, saving them the travel and wait at the hospital.

"The facility will be operated, maintained and staffed by Bermuda Hospitals Board, and will be required to meet the same accreditation and patient safety standards as the rest of the hospitals. We look forward to welcoming the community through our doors in April."

The UCC will initially operate weekdays between 4 p.m. and midnight, and noon and midnight on weekends.

Details of the naming competition can be found on Facebook, and at www.gov.bm.