Sunderland medical centre undergoes major transformation

Southlands Medical Group, in Ryhope, has been completely transformed as part of an estimated £1million refurbishment.

The works began back in February to install eight consultation rooms, a new staff room, kitchen and reception seating.

The centre’s training room has also been extended and additional corridors have been added.

The refurbished building was officially opened on Friday, September 4, by Lewis Atkinson, MP for Sunderland Central, and Southlands office manager Dorothy Clarke, who is celebrating 40 years at the practice.

Lewis said: “I’m delighted to be here. Ryhope is a lovely community.

"Even though I grew up in East Boldon, I’ve got the sense that Ryhope has a really strong sense of community – and people identify with that.

"We need more places like this in the country.”

The transformation of the building was completed in three stages, with work “running as normal” throughout the year.

Speaking about the new facilities, Lewis said: "Here, people don’t need to go to the Royal Hospital to get routine healthcare – unless they really have to.

"Everything is done here. For patients, their GP really is their primary care team.”

According to Southlands Medical Group, the rapid growth of Ryhope means that the practice is taking on more and more patients which need a surgery to go to.

Ian Pattison, lead GP at the practice, said: "When I first started here 26 years ago, we had around 4,000 patients. We now have just over 11,000.

"More houses have been going up in the area which means we’re getting more patients – and they end up coming here."

Speaking about the building works, he added: "As far as I’m aware, there was no point when we had to shut anything down or where we had any power outages.

"We just kept on running as normal with the building work taking place around us.

"I was really impressed.

"This building brings a feel good factor for staff retention too.

"The facility is a lot more modern and it’s just a nicer place to work, and so staff want to stay here.”

Southlands Medical Group is also celebrating the 40th anniversary of one of its staff members.

Dorothy, 73, has been at the practice for 40 years and currently works as the office manager.

She said: “It speaks volumes that I’ve been here for 40 years.”

She continued: "I can’t say more than we offer a great service in here.

"We have great patients here and we get apprentices coming fromNewcastle and Sunderland to train.

"Everybody here is just so kind.”

Dorothy works alongside her daughter, Claire Green, who has been at the practice for 37 years after first joining the team at the age of 17.

She said: “They were looking for a receptionist at the time and my mum suggested me because I was just out of school.

"At first, I was told I was too young but they decided to give me a chance because my mum was already working here.”