A new health centre in Bournemouth has officially opened, bringing modern healthcare facilities into the heart of the Winton community.

Thanks to a £1.9 million NHS investment, Banks and Bearwood Medical Practice, Dorset HealthCare and NHS Dorset have transformed the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council-owned building on Alma Road into a new Neighbourhood Health Centre.

The building is the former Winton Health Centre, which carries a covenant requiring it to be used for healthcare purposes. The site has been unused since July 2023 following its closure. It will now be home to Banks and Bearwood GP practice and a range of community health services run by Dorset HealthCare, including:

  • paediatric services
  • children's speech and language therapy
  • podiatry
  • leg ulcer clinics
  • community oncology
  • heart failure clinics
  • health visiting, school nursing and district nursing
  • NHS talking therapies for mental health.

The site offers on-site parking and excellent public transport links, and forms part of the NHS's wider commitment to deliver more healthcare services within local communities, making it easier for people to access the care and support they need closer to home.

The site was officially opened by NHS Dorset’s Associate Director of Primary Care and Neighbourhood Health Estate Di McLaughlin, Banks and Bearwood GP partner Dr Yasser Kerim, Dorset HealthCare’s head of child and adolescent mental health services Helen Duncan-Jordan, the Trust’s head of capital delivery Paul Williams, architect Roy Brammer and surgery patient Gordon Rock. 

Dr Kerim said:

"This is a proud moment for our practice and the community. We now have an excellent, more accessible, modern health centre here in Winton that will allow patients to access the care they need more easily.”

Helen Duncan-Jordan added:

"I am proud to be able to open this new facility here in Winton today, reflecting the commitment across the NHS and Council to deliver local services. Local people will benefit from having so many services available together here in the heart of the community. A big thank-you also goes to our partners at Spetisbury Construction Ltd, who have worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life."

Cllr David Brown, BCP Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing and Chair of the BCP Health & Wellbeing Board, said:

“Today is a fantastic example of how partners can work together at a local level and improve residents’ health and wellbeing.  

 “It’s great to see one of our buildings being used to bring modern and important facilities to the heart of one of our largest communities.  

 “We look forward to continuing to work alongside the NHS and other partners to make sure this centre benefits people for years to come." 

The first patients will be seen at the GP practice from 1 September, with community health services launching shortly afterwards.