Two GP practices have come together to form a new health centre which bosses say will give patients  greater "choice and convenience" over services. 

The Lambton Road Medical Practice will bring together two nearby surgeries - Dr. Howard Freeman & Partners and Pepys Road Medical Practice.

Patients will benefit from outpatient and diagnostic services provided by Kingston Hospital Trust including an antenatal clinic previously only available at the hospital.

The building will also house a pharmacy for Kingston Hospital outpatients, a floor dedicated to services provided by St. Anthony’s Hospital, physiotherapy and a Pilates studio as well as space for community organisations.  

The new centre in Lambton Road, Raynes Park, was officially opened on Friday, March 22, by Councillor Margaret Brierly and Mrs Kay Sonneborn, former chair of the Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust and is a result of the Better Care Closer to Home programme launched in 2004 with the aim of bring heath services closer to communities. 

Dr Howard Freeman, senior partner at the practice and chair of the NHS Merton Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "We are very proud of our new facility.

"Patients will notice a real improvement in the facilities, enjoy a wider range of services in a purpose-built building in a convenient town centre location.

"Journeys and visits to hospital will be saved for many treatments. 

"It’s good news for local health service generally helping us to achieve our aims of better integrated services, improved outcomes and a better patient experience.

"It also starts to make Better Health Care Closer to Home in Merton a reality."