To date, 250 people have registered as patients at the new centre, based at Battle Hill, Wallsend. The response and initial take-up in its first month of opening has been greater than expected, exceeding the expected level for registered patients by 85 percent.
The walk-in service has also proved a welcome new facility with an average of around 30 people a day now using the centre, which also meets the expected targets.
Battle Hill Health Centre – operating 8am to 8pm every day of the week – opened in mid August 2009.
Dr Tony Thick, lead director of clinical services, said: "We are delighted with the public response, which clearly demonstrates the very real need for such a centre."
The new Centre provides better access to a range of GP and health services and will help people to receive treatment closer to their home rather than in hospital. In addition, the walk-in service means that people working, visiting or studying locally who need to see a GP or a nurse urgently can benefit from the new facility.
Patients don't have to be registered to use the walk-in service.
The centre and the 17 jobs created demonstrate our ongoing commitment to provide better healthcare access for people in the local community and beyond.
The first of its type in the area, the new centre combines a walk-in service 365 days per year, a new GP practice that patients can register to join, as well as hosting a range of services including x-ray, ultrasound and echocardiography (heart tests). There are plans to offer patients a choice of a range of services previously based in hospital locations within the new centre. These will consist of consultant and nurse-led clinics.
Battle Hill's new Centre manager is Tony Hockey who was previously practice manager at a local GP practice.
He said: "These new facilities are good news for people living in Newcastle and North Tyneside. They provide better access to a range of GP and health services in the community. Due to the unique partnership with The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, we can ensure that patients receive better and more co-ordinated care."
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