Disability services throughout the city have been brought together under one roof with the opening of the Josian Centre in Southampton.

The launch of this one-stop shop in Empress Road means disabled people will have much easier access to services that have previously been scattered across Southampton and the surrounding area.

Southampton City Primary Care Trust's (PCT) Josian Centre was officially opened on November 2, by the Mayor of Southampton, Councillor John Slade and David Lamb who uses the centre himself.

The centre houses a wide range of Southampton's health equipment services under one roof, including Southampton City PCT's wheelchair service, continence advisory service, equipment store and equipment demonstration and advisory service. As well as PCT services the centre houses partner organisations such as Hampshire Deaf Association and British Red Cross.

Designed to be a one-stop centre for disability services, the centre also offers advice and information, assessment of clients' conditions and links to other specialist services. Pauline Quanarrow, Chair of Southampton City PCT said: "Disabled people in Southampton have had to put up with a Cinderella service in the past but now they have the Josian Centre.

"I am incredibly excited being here today and it is a great, great pleasure for me. This centre is one of the first in the country that is this comprehensive."

Brian Skinner, Southamp-ton City PCT Chief Executive, said: "Southampton PCT are very proud of the Josian Centre, it is a fantastic facility which we hope people will find much easier to use.

"This centre will bring together all these services under one roof, improving accessibility and allowing us to provide a far more effective service."

David Lamb, who was diagnosed with MS in 1964 and has been confined to a wheelchair since 1986, joined the mayor in opening the centre.

He said: "This means a great step forward because we have all of the facilities under one roof.

"Most important of all is that we have the same staff so we can get to know all the great people who work here.

"It will also mean that when people come here to try out equipment or come here for treatments, they will get to know each other, make friends and learn from each other."