Eltham Residents Celebrate Official Opening of New Community Hospital​

* Dr Ellen Wright

by our Health Correspondent | Eltham

A decade of community determination and partnership-working between Eltham residents, NHS commissioners and providers, the Royal Borough of Greenwich and Eltham's MP was celebrated at the official opening of Eltham Community Hospital on Thursday 17 September, 2015.

Eltham Community Hospital is a purpose-built NHS community hospital bringing together GPs, nurses and social care under one roof. The hospital enables the delivery of high quality, integrated clinical and community services that meet the needs of people across the borough of Greenwich. 

About Eltham Community Hospital: 

Nearly ten years ago, Eltham residents expressed their strong support for a new hospital to be built on the site of the old Eltham & Mottingham Cottage Hospital, just off Eltham High Street. After funding was secured through the LIFT Public Private Partnership programme in 2008, the process of building the hospital involved extensive consultation with Eltham residents, to ensure the hospital reflected local priorities and building work finally began in earnest in early 2014. 

* Cllr Denise Hyland

The hospital was completed in 2015 and there has been a phased introduction of services. The hospital features two GP practices, Eltham Medical Practice and Eltham Palace Surgery, a wide range of primary and community care services, 40 intermediate care beds, out-patient consulting rooms and state-of-the-art ultrasound facilities.

Official opening ceremony:

The official opening ceremony commemorates the history of Eltham Community Hospital. The first hospital for the area was Eltham Cottage Hospital which opened in 1880, followed by the opening of the larger Eltham and Mottingham Cottage Hospital in 1898, and 117 years later, there is now the new Eltham Community Hospital.

Eltham MP Mr Clive Efford, who has campaigned for a local health facility for many years, officially opened Eltham Community Hospital. 

Dr Nayan Patel, a Clinical Commissioner at NHS Greenwich Clinical Commissioning Group unveiled a plaque in honor of Mr Jack and Ellen Oliver, who were hugely instrumental in the development of Eltham Cottage Hospital. The Olivers' grandson, Mr Trevor Lendon, was on hand for the unveiling. 

The Eltham Arts and History Group installed a plaque explaining the links between the two hospitals that have stood on the site of the current new hospital. 

* Clive Efford MP

Clinical Chair of NHS Greenwich Clinical Commissioning Group, Dr Ellen Wright, said: "Eltham Community Hospital was built by hard graft, sheer determination, and boundless community support, and the result has definitely been worth it. With two GP practices, outpatient clinics, physiotherapy, mental health services, ultrasound and blood tests all under one roof, Eltham Community Hospital is truly a beacon for NHS primary care in the modern age."

Eltham MP Clive Efford said, "It is a great honour to officially open our new community hospital. I want to congratulate everyone who has contributed since the project began in 2007. I know from speaking to people who have used the facilities that how much it is appreciated. I have even used the hospital myself."

Local resident Judy Smith MBE, of South Greenwich Forum, said: "Eltham has changed much over the years, and one of the best changes is the new hospital. We not only have better healthcare closer to home, but as a community we have helped ensure the hospital meets our local needs.

Cllr Denise Hyland, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich said: "These outstanding modern facilities have been greatly welcomed by local residents, and the involvement of local community groups has helped to ensure that the services on offer are those which are most relevant to the health needs of the local population."

"A strong partnership between the Royal Borough, community organisations and the NHS is helping to ensure that health services and social care services work more closely together than ever before – something which has been greatly welcomed by local people. This greater integration of services is reflected very positively in the mix of services that are now available at the Eltham Community Hospital."

* Nicola Theron

Nicola Theron, Community Health Partnerships Local Area Director commented: "This state-of-the-art, spacious, modern community hospital is set to play a significant role in improving access to high quality, integrated health and social care services for residents of Eltham and the wider local community."

"The development demonstrates what can be achieved through partnership working, transforming the way services are delivered and ensuring that we have the right buildings in place to support the delivery of high quality services, now and in the future." ​​

Eltham Community Hospital is located at Passey Place, Eltham, London SE9 5DQ.

To read more about Eltham Community Hospital, please visit:

http://www.greenwichccg.nhs.uk/eltham.

* From the Greenwich NHS Clinicial Consultation Group