Thousands of patients registered at a Waltham Forest GP practice are set to benefit from extra space and a wider range of health services following its move into new purpose-built premises.
Doctors and staff based at the Bailey Practice’s current site in Shernhall Street, Walthamstow, have relocated to a new building a short walk away at Comely Bank Clinic, Walthamstow.
The move took place last week, with the doors opening to patients yesterday (Monday 20 March).
The much-needed move to the new site at Comely Bank Clinic provides the 30-year-old family-run practice with more space for its staff and modern facilities for its patients.
This will enable the Bailey Practice to:
- offer four consultation rooms on the ground floor – allowing easy access to those with mobility issues
- accommodate a patient list of up to 6,000 (nearly three times bigger than its current list size), making it more sustainable for future population growth
- expand its on-site health services to so it can deliver physiotherapy, mother and baby clinics, family planning and prescribing reviews – offering more integrated care to patients through multi-disciplinary teams
- offer on-site parking with dedicated disabled spots
- utilise advanced digital technologies to facilitate more patient self-monitoring, allowing them to take more control of their care while maintaining convenient access to a wider range of health services in the community.
The move has been overseen by NHS North East London (NHS NEL) as part of its Waltham Forest Strategic Estates Strategy which outlines its commitment to utilise under-used space within key sites in the borough, such as Comely Bank Clinic, and relocate local healthcare services from ageing premises to provide modern 21st century health facilities for patients and staff.
The work to develop and fit out the new premises for the Bailey Practice was undertaken by Community Health Partnerships.
Elizabeth Bailey, Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Partner at the Bailey Practice, said:
“The move into this fit-for-purpose premises not only allows us to deliver high quality care to our current patients, but also allows us to take on new patients wishing to register with us.
“The additional space means that we are able to offer more in-house services such as physio sessions and access to services are easier and quicker with all our new digital technologies.”
William Cunningham-Davis, Director of Primary Care Transformation at NHS North East London said:
“The completion of this project was the result of successful partnership working between the practice teams, our primary care network and the London Borough of Waltham Forest.
“This development brings us another step closer to providing Waltham Forest residents with fit-for-purpose healthcare buildings that will support the wider transformation of the local health and care system in order to improve patient experiences and health outcomes.”
Eugene Prinsloo, Development Director at Community Health Partnerships, said:
“I’m delighted that the works at the Comely Bank Clinic has now been completed.
“Working closely with our partners, we have been able to deliver a much-needed facility for primary care services which will benefit many patients in a time where the NHS is stretched. “We look forward to welcoming the team from the Bailey Practice into the health centre.”