Lord Walpole, president of the Nelson Society has formally opened the Nelson Health Centre in Merton.
The launch included the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the official opening of the centre in April last year, which is named in honour of the Naval hero, Lord Nelson.
Lord Walpole and guests were joined by local MP Stephen Hammond, who spoke of the benefits the award-winning centre is bringing to Merton residents, who can now access a wider range of services closer to home, including GP services and outpatient appointments, minor surgery, X-rays, blood tests and mental health support.
Dr Andrew Murray, clinical chairman of NHS Merton Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “The Nelson Health Centre is an award-winning building that offers the people of Merton a one-stop shop for many of their healthcare needs. It provides a modern, spacious place for people to access world-class medical services.
“The centre represents the very best in partnership working. It shows what can be achieved when local people, local health care providers and NHS partners work together. We would encourage all local GPs and residents to consider using these wonderful and convenient local facilities.”
Community Health Partnerships’ (CHP) chief executive, Dr Sue O’Connell, added: "We are delighted that the centre is fulfilling its important role in bringing integrated primary care to the local community.
"Over the past decade Community Health Partnerships, through the LIFT PPP procurement programme, has successfully delivered more than 300 similar projects, which have provided a significant range of primary healthcare and regeneration benefits across England. I am very proud of what has been achieved at Nelson Health Centre.”
And Erwin Jonathon, regional centre manager at CHP, said: “When the health centre was redeveloped, it was really important to the local community that the name and history of the building was maintained and we’re delighted to see the plaque in place."
The Nelson Health Centre is built on the former site of the Nelson Hospital and is managed by CHP.
Designed by Murphy Philipps Architecture, it won the Award for Best Primary Care Development at the 2015 Building Better Healthcare Awards.
