When a much-loved GP surgery said it was moving, patients were concerned – but now they are thrilled with the new practice.
But now, a year after the health centre moved from the beautiful but cramped old house on Burton Crescent into its multi-million pound state-of-the-art premises in the heart of Headingley, its 9,000 patients couldn’t be happier.
The purpose-built unit, part of Headingley Medical Centre, now boasts excellent access for wheelchair-users, more on-site car parking and better public transport links.
Rachel Hirst, assistant practice manager, said: “We’ve had a lot of people saying how wonderful it is and that it’s so much better than they thought it was going to be.”
The practice offers a wide range of medical services, including health promotion and screening as well as diagnosis and treatment of illness. And the change has brought about numerous benefits for users.
The more spacious setting has enabled the centre to become a training practice.
Fully-qualified doctors who are in training to become GPs now work alongside the centre’s eight GPs and there are plans to help with training for nurses and medical students.
And because of the additional space the practice can now offer services for patients plus residents, such as Leeds Club Drug Clinic – a free NHS drop-in service for people who want help to change their drug-taking behaviour.
The centre also provides sexual health assessments, with advice on safe sex, sexual health and contraception, plus testing for sexually-transmitted infections.
Rachel said: “We couldn’t offer it in the old place because it was just too small – it was bursting at the seams. The fact that we are offering all these services that we couldn’t before has helped attract patients and keep them happy.”
There are now more than 30 staff working at the practice and Rachel said they were “outstanding, all of them”.
The centre also boasts a sports clinic for anyone registered at Burton Croft who is struggling with a recent sports injury, an old injury still causing problems or any other problem relating to sports or exercise.
Patients can simply ask the receptionist for an appointment with Dr James Moxon, who has a Diploma in Sports Medicine and was team doctor at Yorkshire County Cricket Club for many years, working with professional cricketers.
He will also assess non-sporting muscle and joint problems and can provide joint injections and acupuncture where appropriate.
Headingley Medical Centre is now recognised as a real asset to the community, as it is also home to Hollybank Surgery, Headingley Pharmacy and other health facilities, including The Leeds Sports Injury and Physiotherapy Clinic, all under one roof and there are plans for more health-related businesses to move in.
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