The newly refurbished Epsom Downs Integrated Care Services (EDICS) clinic was officially unveiled at the Ebbisham Centre last week.

EDICS coordinates NHS care for over 120,000 people in Leatherhead, Banstead, Epsom and Ewell and Worcester Park and manages GP referrals for specialist care.

Set up in 2005 by a group of 17 GP practices, EDICS provides outpatient specialist care in communities as an alternative to people having to go into hospitals.

The refurbished building in Epsom town centre runs a wide variety of outpatient clinics including neurology, diabetes and dermatology.

MP for Epsom and Ewell, Chris Grayling, who officially opened the clinic, said: “I want to say congratulations to Anne and the team who have been involved with EDICS.

“It has to be the case that the health service will flourish.

“We can really create a heath care service that works together.

"It’s a great pleasure to come here and cut the ribbon for this achievement.”

Also celebrating was dermatology nurse at the clinic, Anita Webb, who, with nearly 30 years experience in nursing, received the Queen’s Award for Nursing, the highest award in nursing.

Only 170 nurses out of 600,000 NHS nurses have received the award and Mrs Webb is only the second dermatology nurse to ever receive the accolade. She said: “The lovely thing about the award is that you get to influence practice at a national and local level.

“Nursing is a large part of my life and I truly believe that we strive for excellence in our patient care here.”

For more information on services provided at the centre visit edics.co.uk.