13 January 2010
Access to GPs has improved for up to 6,000 NHS patients in Southampton as the state-of-the-art Adelaide Health Centre, Millbrook opened it doors to patients this week.
Open from 8am to 8pm daily, the brand new Centre offers traditional GP services including flu jabs, blood tests and health promotion as well as the opportunity to book same day GP appointments, with the added benefit of being able to walk-in to see an experienced nurse at any time.
John Merry, who registered as the Centre's first patient shortly after doors opened for the first time, said: "The Adelaide Health Centre looks like a very nice building and I love the coffee bar. I’m about a mile and a half away so it’s quite convenient. The extended hours are useful and it’s possible I may make use of them to fit in with hospital appointments."
The striking new building was provided on behalf of NHS Southampton City under the Government’s Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) scheme by South West Hampshire LIFT Limited, a public private partnership which is owned by NHS Southampton City, NHS Hampshire, Community Health Partnerships and a consortium of companies led by leading health provider Assura.
Situated on the Western Community Hospital campus, the Centre benefits from good transport links and ample car parking and its location means that the site as a whole is now a one-stop shop for a wide range of healthcare needs.
Commenting on the opening, Assura's head of LIFT, David Acklam said: "We are delighted that the Adelaide Health Centre has welcomed its first patients."
"The new Centre is a fantastic new facility providing first class services and we are convinced that patients will enjoy the added convenience of being able to receive a number of different services from a single location at a time convenient to them and at the heart of their community."
Chief executive of NHS Southampton City, Bob Deans, added: "Adelaide Health Centre is an exciting new state-of-the-art building for patients and home to a wide range of NHS services.
"NHS Southampton City is committed to ensuring that healthcare in Southampton meets the real needs of our people, and the opening of the Adelaide Health Centre is a key development in improving the health of patients and the city as a whole."
Lead GP from the Adelaide Surgery, Dr Mike Brooke, said: "The new facilities are good news for people living in the west of Southampton. Staff at the surgery look forward to continuing to provide our patients with high-quality care in a modern and purpose built health setting."
Adelaide Health Centre, Millbrook is the first building to have been completed by South West Hampshire LIFT Limited. Antelope House Adult Mental Health Unit is the second building which is currently under construction and is due for completion in June of this year.
ENDS
Press enquiries regarding Assura Group to:
Russell Elliott, Assura Group.
Tel: 020 7107 3833
Louise Bathersby, Assura Group.
Tel: 020 7107 3830
