Funding deal is the right medicine for expanding GP practice

A medical centre in Birmingham has officially re-opened following an extensive refurbishment programme.

Work on the Downsfield Medical Centre in Sheldon has taken nine months to complete and was made possible after the practice secured a finance package from Barclays.
 
The two-storey centre has been upgraded in line with NHS standards and includes an improved main entrance, reception waiting area and ancillary accommodation.

The practice, which originally opened in 1976, has also expanded into an adjacent house, the former garage and rear garden of which has been converted to provide staff parking facilities.

Downsfield Medical Centre currently employs eight members of staff and provides healthcare to more than 2,800 patients in the local community.

The project was the vision of GP Dr K Kommalapati, who has managed the practice since 2009.

She said: “I am thrilled to be able to offer the new surgery to local people. I believe we can now offer an environment and service to our patients and staff that is up to date, bright and welcoming. The feedback we have had from our patients has been tremendous.”
 
Inderjeet Singh Seera, relationship manager at Barclays in Birmingham, said: “The new surgery provides top class services to the local community and I am delighted we have been able to support Dr Kommalapati in realising his ambition for the practice.”