Disused supermarket transformed into state-of-the-art GP surgery

Our new state of the art medical centre has officially opened in Shirley, Southampton.

The ceremonial ribbon was cut at Shirley Health Partnership’s new GP surgery by Lord Mayor David Shields at an opening ceremony on Friday 24th January. 

Previously a disused supermarket, the new surgery now comprises 21 modern clinical rooms and a dedicated space for health education. It services over 15,000 local patients who can now access a range of health services, including mental health professionals, health coaches and social prescribers from the premises.

Dr Angus Ferguson, Executive Partner, Shirley Health Partnership commented: “Our former premises were outdated and no longer fit for purpose. Our fantastic new facility will enable us to provide more patients with a wider range of essential primary care services.”

Lord Mayor David Shields said “Keeping our community healthy is essential so I was very happy to officially open the new practice. The building has been completely transformed from the supermarket it used to be and will be a very welcome amenity to the Shirley community.”

James Roach, Director of Primary and Local Care, at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight said: “As the NHS focuses ever more on bringing services to the community and our health needs as a population in the city increase, our hard working colleagues in GP practices need good clinical spaces and patients need a good experience of care when coming and going to their local surgery. This new building is great news for people in Shirley, with better clinical spaces and an excellent example of how the local NHS plays a part in the wider urban regeneration of our high streets. We are grateful to our all partners for their work in this project.”

The building also hosts midwives from University Hospital Southampton and mental health practitioners delivering support through the local Steps2Wellbeing service. 

Alastair Barlow, our Development Director, said: “Projects where we can bring disused buildings back into community use are always exciting and we’re delighted to see the surgery open its doors. The new surgery is fresh, modern and provides the much-needed additional capacity in the area. They have been a pleasure to work with.” 

Additionally, the surgery worked with national charity ‘Paintings in Hospitals’ to install 35 museum-quality artworks, reflecting themes such as seascapes, the local environment and artwork by celebrated local artists, which were chosen by over 1000 patients and staff.

Dr Ferguson added: “The art works provide a huge benefit to our staff, who have found the art to provide a lift to their mood and pride in their workplace and patients have commented on how helpful it is to look and enjoy the paintings when they visit, helping their mood and experience.”

The building also meets modern environmental standards with eight electric vehicle charging points, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) B rating and a 'very good' BREEAM rating.