Staff at the newly refurbished Purley War Memorial Hospital say their new facilities are helping to ease the pressure on Croydon University Hospital.
The hospital on Brighton Road, reopened in July after an £11.15m refurbishment that has led to an increase in the range of services accessible to patients living in the south of the borough.
At present about 3,000 patients attend the site, but the figure is expected to rise to 7,500 by the end of March next year, with about 100 appointments per hour.
New clinics at the hospital include physiotherapy and diabetic retinopathy- a test for an eye disease caused by diabetes.
There is also a larger imaging service available, meaning patients are able to attend the hospital for x-ray, ultrasounds and dexa- a type of x-ray used primarily for bone scans.
Radiographer Anna Cowling with the dexa machine
Radiographer Anna Cowling said: "Patients are delighted, they say it is posh and like a private hospital. There is a relaxing atmosphere here now, there has been no negative feedback.
"By having this service here we can help ease the pressure at Croydon University Hospital."
The new reception area
As well as a newly structured reception area with a café, patients can also now benefit from bigger consultation rooms that are able to accommodate the necessary equipment while remaining comfortable.
The next phase of the project will see the arrival of a state of the art eye clinic run by Moorfields Eye Hospital and a new GP practice.
The site aims to become a one-stop shop for the provision of speciality care including cardiology and for long term conditions such as diabetes.
Zanna Patel & Margaret Allen carry out ultrasounds
Tracey Dickie, an emergency nurse practitioner at the hospital said: "Patient feedback has been really good.
"These services have been wanted for a long time by residents living in the south of the borough who are used to travelling to Croydon University Hospital. Many are now saying a large void has been filled."
Suzanne Joyce in the echocardiogram consulting room
Suzanne Joyce, clinical planner, project and site manager said the hospital's new design had been built around patients' needs.
She said: "The hospital has been completely revolutionised and everything has been done for the ease of the patient, for example different areas of the hospital are colour coded to match direction signs for patients.
"I have had lots of amazing feedback from visitors. Often it isn't nice coming to hospital, so we have tried to make it as nice, comfortable and easy as an experience that it can be."
The hospital will be formally reopened this afternoon by the Mayor of Croydon councillor Yvette Hopley and Croydon South MP Richard Ottaway.
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