Weybridge Residents will remember the disastrous fire at the Weybridge Health Centre in July 2017. Many were awakened by an explosion-like sound with black smoke filling the surrounding residential areas. The Centre housed two local GP Practices, other local health services, as well as a Walk-In Centre which served the greater area.  Whilst investigations continue into the cause of the fire, roll on three months and the site has now been cleared and locals are anxious to know what the future holds for local health services.

Residents therefore welcomed two meetings which were held at St James Parish Church, Weybridge on 17 October 2017 – one meeting being held in the day, the other being held in the evening so as to ensure a wide cross section of the Weybridge Community, including commuters, were able to attend.  The high public interest in the meeting had meant a change of venue to the larger St James Parish Centre.

At the meeting, residents were informed that ‘portakabins’ will shortly be delivered and installed on site so as to allow a partial return of health services from the current Rodney Road site in Walton-on-Thames.  In particular both GP practices will be returning and it is hoped they will be up and running by the end of November.  This will be followed by the return of the on-site pharmacy and on-site parking. 

One local disabled resident, who due to their immobility had previously had all their medication delivered by the on-site pharmacy commented: 

“The return of the onsite pharmacy can’t come soon enough, it will be a huge relief… the replacement pharmacies have done their best but there have been constant mix ups.”

Other residents have received online surveys from local political parties and were urged to complete the surveys as feedback is considered essential in shaping the future scope and usage of the Health Centre. Whilst the GP practices are guaranteed a presence, there is no guarantee for the future of the Walk-In Centre.