Opening of New Medical Practice
A brand new purpose-built medical practice officially throws open its doors today (June 21) to the community of Old Aberdeen.
Representatives of the area are joining patients and medical staff later this morning for the opening of the £1 million surgery which was funded by the University of Aberdeen and is being leased and run by NHS Grampian.
Professor The Lord Sewel, senior Vice-Principal of the University, is unveiling a plaque at the Old Aberdeen Medical Practice in Sunnybank Road. He said: "This is a superb facility for students and residents and an excellent example of joined up working between the University and NHS Grampian. I am sure the medical practice will become an integral and valued part of the community."
Jim Royan, Chairman of NHS Grampian added: "We are delighted to be partners in this development - the partnership between the University and the NHS and the partnership between the students and the wider community are both very good news."
The facility brings together students who would have attended the University of Aberdeen Medical Practice and local residents who were once patients of the Spital Medical Practice.
Plans for a new practice were laid three years ago because patient lists at both surgeries had outgrown both sets of premises. Ruth Hepburn is Practice Manager for the new surgery, and also ran the previous two practices, which are now defunct.
Mrs Hepburn said: "The two surgeries which existed before the merger were totally cramped. One was actually two flats joined together and had very steep stairs. They just were not fit for purpose.
"This new facility is just great and now that the staff from both old practices are under the same roof we are providing an even better service to what is a very diverse community."
The new practice has a patient list of around 11,000. It probably has Aberdeen's highest turnover of patients because of the student population.
The surgery has six doctors, four nurses, a phlebotomist, health visitor, district nurse and a community nurse. There are eight consulting rooms, three treatment rooms, a multi-purpose room and it meets all disability requirements.
Notes of Editors:
The Old Aberdeen Medical Practice is based at 12 Sunnybank Road, Aberdeen.