Skelton’s new GP Practice held its official open day recently. Staff were on hand to answer questions, along with visits from the fire service, local police and local drummers ‘EE BY DRUM.’ The Centre opened their doors at the Skelton Medical Centre on July 1 in Byland Road (previous location of the Hillside Practice).

It was to celebrate the Centre’s new services to the public which includes longer opening hours for registered and non registered patients, seven days a week opening hours and much more.

The Centre can be used by people living, visiting or working in the area which is part of Minister Lord Darzi’s review of the NHS which said 150 GP-led centers should be set up.

NHS Redcar and Cleveland commissioned Bondcare to provide the new services where patients can register with the centre or drop in to see a nurse when they are unable to get to their own GP.

Business/Practice manager Alison Somers said: “The Bondcare came from London which came into Primary Care about 12 months ago and have dealt with the NHS in the past. We have nursing and a resident GP here, and residents can register if they want to.

“Hopefully there will be much more care share than has been in the past.”

Operations director, Ali Levison who travelled to Skelton from his offices in London for the day, said: “The government wants to open more by 2010 and is following the Darzi report saying that patients don’t have enough access. Patients don’t have to be registered, and opening times can be from 8am to 8pam- including weekends.

This service has been designed to help patients who are unable to see their own GP. Patients do not have to be registered with this practice and visiting the Centre will not affect patients registration with their current GP.

The Centre is however registering new patients should anyone wish them to be their registered practice.

The practice offers patients the option to consult with a Nurse Practitioner without the need for an appointment, although appointments can be booked for this service at the convenience of the patient.

The aim of this is summarised in the Practice Mission Statement as follows: “Skelton Medical Centre will strive to provide modern and flexible Primary Health Care to the population of Skelton and surrounding areas, whilst retaining the best features of traditional general practice and functioning as an integral part of the rural community”.

Tel: 01287 284246 Fax: 01287 284150 Email: info@skeltonmedicalcentre.co.uk http://www.skeltonmedicalcentre.co.uk Out of Hours Prime care deliver any emergency out of hours services If you require medical services during the hours that the centre is closed you must telephone 0845 603 1313 Patients requiring health information or advice may also telephone NHS direct, this is a 24hr nurse led advice line - 0845 46 47 or more info from their website www.nhsdirect.uk