Trailblazing health centre cared for 230 people each day during first year

Devizes’ state-of-the-art health centre is set to celebrate its first anniversary this week, with staff at the site proud to have cared for more than 59,000 people during its inaugural 12 months.

The centre, which takes pride of place as the Wiltshire town’s flagship location for health and care, was given its official opening on February 22 2023, just a few weeks after the doors first opened to patients.

Since then, the team at Devizes Health Centre, which holds the title of being one of the country’s first fully integrated healthcare centres, meaning GP appointments take place alongside many other health and care services, such as outpatient clinics and community care, have carried out a total of 16,834 face-to-face appointments.

When combined with appointments carried out over the phone, the Devizes team cared for 59,457 people during their first year, which equates to approximately 238 patient interactions each day.

Dr Richard Sandford-Hill, GP at Devizes Health Centre, said: “The feedback we have had from local people during our first year has been overwhelmingly positive, and I am so proud that this building, which has gained a reputation as something of a trailblazer for the NHS, has its roots planted firmly in the heart of Wiltshire.

“Devizes Health Centre will serve generations of local people for many more years to come, and I have no doubt that its ultra-modern credentials and state-of-the-art sustainability features will be widely replicated on all future NHS buildings.”

Along with being 100 per cent energy efficient – the site uses heat pumps and solar panels to generate its own power – Devizes Health Centre is also a hub for same and next-day care.

Patients of four nearby GP practices are able to be referred directly to the new urgent care service, meaning local people need not travel further afield for quick help and treatment.   

Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, which delivered the new centre in collaboration with NHS Property Services, was recently chosen as one of only two ADEPT pilot sites by NHS England.

The Activity Driven Estates Planning Tool gives health and care planners detailed insight and information relating to the needs of a specific area’s population, both now and in the future.

By using the tool, NHS organisations can take a wholly evidence-based approach to planning new buildings, as well as updating existing estates.

Simon Yeo, Assistant Director of Estates, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “The first-year success of Devizes Health Centre, along with the recognition it has attracted nationally, really helped to pave the way in us becoming an ADEPT pilot site.

“Over the coming years, the tool will not only help us to bring care out of traditional settings, and move it into environments closer to patients’ homes, but also allow us to plan where the Devizes Health Centres of the future will be needed most.”

Further information about Devizes Health Centre, as well as all other local health and care services, can be found online at www.bsw.icb.nhs.uk.