A £12m health centre opens its doors in Wimbledon today after nearly two years of construction.

The Nelson Health Centre in Kingston Road will treat its first patients today, with its full range of services to be opened by Tuesday.

The health centre will provide a range of primary care and community services to residents, including the relocation of The Cannon Hill Lane Medical Practice and The Church Lane Practice, endoscopy, x-ray, ultrasound and blood tests.

Other services include outpatient clinics and physiotherapy, mental health services, pharmacy services and minor surgery.

It is a similar size to the former Nelson Hospital in Kingston Road, but the new building is designed specifically to offer integrated healthcare for local people.

Dr Howard Freeman, former chairman of Merton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: "The opening of this magnificent facility in the heart of our community is a major step forward in our plans to make the right healthcare readily accessible to our local population.

"I am extremely proud of what we have all achieved and believe that The Nelson Health Centre will enable us to deliver the best possible care for more local people in their own community.

"I would like to thank Merton CCG staff, local clinicians, our partners providing the services here, constructors Rydon and South London Health Partnership and Community Health Partnerships who have made this happen."

Wimbledon Times:

Dr Howard Freeman and Eleanor Brown of Merton CCG cut the ribbon to open the health centre

Dr Freeman retired from the Merton CCG in March. Today, he is replaced by Dr Andrew Murray, who has been a GP at The Church Lane Practice in Merton Park since 2004.

He has also been a governing body member of the CCG since June 2013.

Invited guests were given a tour of the new facilities yesterday before it was deep-cleaned ready for patients to arrive.

The new health centre has been funded by the NHS Local Improvement Finance Trust.

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