By Emma Hitchens
GPs and patients are gearing up for a new £12million medical centre due to open this August.
The Akerman Health Centre, in Patmos Road, Brixton, will bring together three existing practices – Iveagh House, Foxley Square and Myatts Field under one roof.
Naomi McCulloch, Practice Manager at Iveagh House, said: “We’ve outgrown the building that we are currently based in; we really are bursting at the seams, so we’re looking forward to the new space.
“Obviously, we recognise that it’s going to be a challenge for us, but it’s an exciting time.”
The centre will offer a range of general medical services as well as those provided by partner organisations Guy’s and St Thomas’ Community Services, King’s College Hospital, South London and Maudsley Hospital and the London Borough of Lambeth.
Cllr Steve Reed, leader of Lambeth Council hopes the centre will benefit thousands of people in the area.
“This new centre is going to be really important for local people. Good quality facilities like this one are vital in improving people’s health,” he said
The centre aims to offer longer opening hours, a choice of appointment times and shorter waiting periods for patients. Myatts Field Medical Practice says that this will be a huge improvement for their service.
“The main strength of the service is that we will be able to expand and get more facilities available. It will improve the overall experience for staff and patients,” said Dolina Redjimi, Practice Manger at Myatts Field Medical Practice.
Jennifer Green Mills, a patient at Iveagh House Surgery, is unconcerned by any potential problems that may arise as a result of the move, such as transportation and communication issues.
“There’s a bus stop outside the surgery which stops right outside my house as well, so it won’t be a problem. They’ve been keeping us informed,” she said.
“The service is improving a lot and I think the move is going to do a great deal of good.”
Funding was provided through the Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) programme. It is a public private partnership between the private Building Better Health, and the NHS in Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham.
For further information on Akerman Road Health Centre visit www.lambethpct.nhs.uk.
Emma Hitchens is the music editor at Live Magazine and a NCTJ journalism student. Follow her on Twitter.
