The refurbished Woolacombe Medical Centre was officially reopened last week after 5 years of working alongside our numerous health partners and community. The Management Team, Woolacombe GP Partner, Members of Mortehoe Parish Council and locals attended an Open Day and officially reopened the building on the 16th August 2023.
Woolacombe Medical Centre is part of the Combe Coastal Practice Partnership which also has medical Centres in Ilfracombe and Combe Martin. Combe Coastal Practice is still the largest Practice in North Devon and looks after over 18,500 patients.
The previous Medical Centre had served the community of Woolacombe & Mortehoe for over 30 years and was identified in 2018 as needing significant updating if it was to continue operating. COVID 19 and the subsequent disruption to the construction industry as well as the pressures on NHS services has meant that this project required significant work from all partners. Combe Coastal Practice has worked closely with Devon ICB to bring this to fruition.
Small rural GP Practices are under more pressure than ever to remain open, however in many cases they remain essential to smaller isolated communities in terms of accessibility and continuity of care. Whilst Woolacombe may appear to have a smaller community out of season this can increase significantly during the summer season putting healthcare services in seasonal tourist destinations under huge strain.
The Woolacombe Medical Centre has added 2 new clinical rooms within the building and will continue to offer usual GP and Nurse consultations as well as remote and virtual options. In addition to this, the Partnership will be utilising the building to locate our expanding team of Primary Care Network employees and used as a GP Registrar training location, therefore maximising its benefits.
Matt Wills, Managing Partner – “I have personally worked on this project for 5 years alongside Steph Richardson and it is fantastic to see that with commitment and effective working partnerships we can continue to recognise the importance of rural GP services and make them sustainable through innovative and visionary working. I would like to give a special thanks to Digby & Roe who have worked with us on this project over the last 3 years”
Devon ICB Statement – “We are pleased to see the Woolacombe branch surgery reopening with more clinical rooms available for the practice to be able to provide primary care services to their patients. The practice has refurbished the building to a high standard to make it fit for purpose for the future.”
