The new Harold Moody Health Centre has opened as part of the regeneration of the Aylesbury estate, rehoming two local GP practices and providing a brand-new neighbourhood base for delivery of community health services.
The day was marked with a ribbon cutting ceremony alongside representatives from Southwark, Notting Hill Genesis and the NHS including Nexus Health group and East Street Surgery.
Aylesbury Medical Centre (Nexus Health Group) and East Street Surgery began welcoming patients in February to their purpose-built and fully accessible premises on Thurlow Street. The centre has 30 GP examination and treatment rooms, two waiting and reception areas and a group session room for community use.
Alongside practice nurse and GP appointments, both practices will continue to offer patients access to a range of other health care professionals such as pharmacists, physiotherapists, advanced nurse practitioners and mental health nurses.
The centre was named after Dr Harold Moody following a public vote. Dr Moody came from Jamaica in 1904 to study medicine at King’s College, London. Encountering racial prejudice, he was unable to gain work as a doctor and set up his own GP practice in Peckham in 1913. He lived and worked in the area until his death in 1947.
The Harold Moody health centre forms part of Plot 18, which has already seen the delivery of 99 new homes for market rent and 23 affordable rented homes targeted at over-55s. It also has a library and commercial premises. The addition of the health centre largely completes this new neighbourhood hub and is a key component of the work of Southwark and Notting Hill Genesis on regenerating the Aylesbury, providing the local community with increased and improved access to healthcare.
Matthew Cornwall-Jones, chief homes officer, said: "We are proud to celebrate the opening of the Harold Moody Health Centre, a crucial addition to the Aylesbury regeneration. In partnership with Southwark Council, we have worked to create a vibrant neighbourhood hub that delivers high-quality homes alongside essential services.
“This health centre not only honours the legacy of Harold Moody but ensures that residents have improved access to vital amenities, reinforcing our commitment to building thriving communities."
Councillor Evelyn Akoto, Southwark’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing said, “It’s essential that people have provision in their local communities to support health and wellbeing – the Harold Moody Health Centre is a vital new facility on the Aylesbury Estate helping to ensure residents have that support at hand. We’re really pleased to have worked closely with the NHS to bring this care to people’s doorsteps.”
Dr Kenny Chan, GP Partner from Nexus Health Group, said: “We’ve watched the build of Harold Moody Health Centre from our former premises at the Aylesbury Medical Centre next door and are pleased to now be operating from the site. We’d like to thank to NHS South East London premises team for all their help and support in the lead up to our move. We are delighted that we have a state-of-the-art building that is available to all our patients across north Southwark.”
Dr Arnold Abraham, GP Partner from East Street Surgery said: “We couldn’t be happier to be installed in our new practice premises. The move went well, and all our IT services are up and running. Patients haven’t had to learn a new phone number or reregister, and they’re telling us already how much they like our new home. Our list is open, so we’re also welcoming new patients who want to register.”
