The St. George's Health and Wellbeing Hub welcomed its first patients yesterday (Monday 4 November) – and immediately received patients' seal of approval.

Husband and wife Edward and Pauline Weymouth became the first two patients to be seen at the St George's Health and Wellbeing Hub in Hornchurch.

St George's Country Park Surgery – formerly Upminster Bridge Surgery – was the first service to open at the hub in Suttons Lane, and Mr and Mrs Weymouth were both booked in for early appointments at its brand-new practice building. 

The couple, who live in Upminster, were impressed by what they found.

Mrs Weymouth said: 

"It's amazing – the moment we walked into the new practice building, it felt so light and airy. The atmosphere is so much more relaxing than the old surgery.

"We had a look around the hub and the whole site looks well designed. To have so many services together on one site is brilliant – it'll be much more convenient for people like us who live nearby and can get here much easier than Queen's Hospital."

Mr Weymouth added: 

"I thought the new surgery was absolutely stunning – even better than I expected. It felt very calming and welcoming, so different to the old one. 

"The St George's site is within walking distance for us which is a real bonus. It's great to know we'll have all of these health services within easy reach of where we live."

The opening of the new purpose-built surgery was also an exciting occasion for its GPs and staff after 25 years at their previous site in Upminster Road.

The event marked the culmination of over seven years of campaigning by local MP Mrs Lopez, who helped secure an initial £17 million worth of funding from the Conservative Government back in 2017.

To mark the official opening of the GP practice yesterday, local politicians and health leaders were given a tour of the new surgery and the other new buildings.

Julia Lopez, MP for Hornchurch and Upminster, said:

“It’s amazing finally to be here as the new St George’s NHS hub opens. It's the culmination of over seven years of campaigning – delivering the hub for residents has been my top priority since I was first elected back in 2017. This is a special moment for so many people who’ve been involved in the project.

“From getting the land back for the local NHS, helping to secure millions for the project from the last government, keeping things moving through the pandemic and seeing works begin in 2022, it’s been a long journey to make it to this stage. Seeing the finished building finally open is a brilliant feeling!

“This hub will change how we look after people in the constituency and provide residents with the very best the NHS has to offer. With a GP surgery, thousands of scans and tests available on-site, integrated health and social care services and a frailty unit for the elderly, St George’s will be a national model of best practice.

“Not only is this a game-changer for those using the new services in the hub, but with some services moving from Queen’s Hospital to here, it also provides us with a vital chance to remodel their A&E department to increase capacity.”

Health and care partners worked together for several years to design the hub, which secured detailed planning approval from Havering Council in 2022. It is backed by £17milllion of government funding which Mrs Lopez was instrumental in securing, as well as £21 million from north east London partners.

Once fully operational, the hub will provide access, seven days a week, to a wide range of high-quality health and wellbeing services all in one place; transforming the way health and care is delivered for around 250,000 people in Havering and surrounding areas. As well as a GP practice, this will include outpatient, mental health, children’s and community services.

Dr John O'Moore, GP Partner at St George's Country Park Surgery, said: 

"It's fantastic to welcome our first patients at our new practice building after so much planning and preparation. It's been a huge team effort.

"We're also proud to be the first service to open at St George’s Health and Wellbeing Hub. Having easier access to a range of health and care services on one site will have major benefits for our patients."

A new Ageing Well Centre will see frail residents supported through a comprehensive assessment service designed to support their physical and mental health needs.

Patients will also be able to get scans and other diagnostic tests in a brand-new, purpose-built community diagnostic centre – avoiding the need for extra visits to local hospitals and helping clinicians provide faster, joined-up advice and support as part of the ground-breaking integrated care model that will be pioneered on-site. The centre was backed by a further £5.6 million in central capital funding.

Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, said: 

“It was a pleasure to visit the new hub, particularly as it is within my ward. Along with my ward colleague, Cllr Whitney, we have been actively involved with the project director with this development over the past few years, and it was great to see in person how the years of planning have now become a reality.

“This new hub will be an asset to the community where for the first time in Havering, residents will be able to access a range of health and social care services all under one roof.”