A NEW health centre opened its doors to patients today.Building work began on Terrington St Clement Health Centre in May 2008.It houses two separate GP practices - Terrington St Clement GP practice and the Terrington St John GP branch surgery.This will

A NEW health centre opened its doors to patients today.

Building work began on Terrington St Clement Health Centre in May 2008.

It houses two separate GP practices - Terrington St Clement GP practice and the Terrington St John GP branch surgery.

This will be the first time the surgeries have been based on the same site, though they will have individual facilities within the building and manage their own separate patient lists and dispensing.

The centre will also be a base for health visitors and extended community health centre services.

Built on land neighbouring St Clement's High School, the site also offers patient parking and a 41-space Park & Stride car park.

Dr Beryl Duncan, senior partner of the Terrington St Clement surgery, said: "We provide healthcare to around 5,000 patients, but our current surgery is cramped, has parking for only five patients, there are accessibility problems for some of our disabled patients and it does not have the facilities for extended services.

"The new health centre will offer local people a central point for their health services as well as superior facilities and extended health services, which are much needed in this area."

Dr Tina Ariffin, of Terrington St John branch surgery, explained that the move would mean a significant increase in clinical capacity: "This is another step closer to getting some excellent facilities for patients in and around Terrington and we are all very excited to get the first patients through the door for treatment.