State-of-the-art NHS centre for Queens Crescent - Originally for axe, the QC medical practice has been transformed

Published: 10 March 2011
by TOM FOOT

DOCTORS celebrated a good news story – like one from “a bygone age” in a time of cuts – at Thursday’s launch of a state-of-the-art NHS health centre.

The Queens Crescent (QC) practice, which was facing closure two years ago, has been transformed into a modern health centre with extra consulting rooms. It was officially opened on Thursday by Labour MP Frank Dobson, NHS Camden chief executive Liz Wise and chairman John Carrier.

Dr Phyllis Turvill, who has worked in the Victorian building for more than 35 years, said: “This is a fulfilment of the dream, to stay in the same site and the same area. It was the wishes of the patients. 

“We’ve got the whole building now. There are four consulting rooms, counselling rooms, management rooms. We can do much more teaching. It means we can look after more patients.”

The refurbishment, in one of the most deprived parts of Camden, has been made possible through a partnership with the James Wigg Practice in Kentish Town Health Centre, NHS Camden and the postgraduate teaching authority the London Deanery. 

Dr Turvill has sold the building to four senior members of the James Wigg Practice. 

Patients will be able to use specialist services at Kentish Town Health Centre.

Mr Dobson said: “Opening ceremonies like this will be going out of fashion – it will be closing ceremonies from now on. The doctors are convinced this sort of thing won’t happen if the government’s proposed changes go through.”

Dr Philip Posner, from The James Wigg Practice, said: “Thanks to the hard work of staff at QC and the vision and commitment of Dr Turvill, we have already seen great success. QC is now at the top of Camden’s GP ‘league’ as measured by national and local scorecards and other quality measures.”