A brand-new health and care centre has opened its doors in the heart of Ilford.

Ilford Exchange Health Centre has been designed as a 'one stop shop', offering easy access to a range of healthcare, social care and community services in a central location.

The centre – occupying two floors of the Ilford Exchange shopping complex – has already welcomed its first patients and this week it hosted a special event showcasing the services on offer along with a flu vaccination clinic and basic life-saving sessions run by local GPs.

Following the event, there was an official opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony, where the guests included Ilford South MP Jas Athwal, NHS North East London Chief Executive Zina Etheridge, and Adrian Loades, Interim Chief Executive of Redbridge Council.

As well as creating extra capacity for primary care services to meet growing local demand, the centre provides community blood testing, podiatry and sexual health services, care for long term conditions, mental health support, children’s services and adult social care.

Patients can also undergo a range of diagnostic tests and scans and access women's health services including community midwifery, gynaecology care and menopause support.

Alongside this, arrangements have been made with Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust for community and voluntary groups to use its rooms within the centre in the evening and at weekends – providing a valuable safe space for local health and wellbeing organisations to hold their meetings and other activities.

Following the official opening on Wednesday (27 November), guests were given a tour of the new centre which has been developed by NHS North East London (NHS NEL) in close collaboration with local partners including NELFT NHS Foundation Trust, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust and Redbridge Council.

Tracy Rubery, Director of Partnership, Impact and Delivery: Redbridge at NHS NEL, said: "It's exciting to see this fantastic new centre open and delivering services after more than two years' hard work by partners and consultation with local people.

"With a range of health and care services available in one place, right in the heart of the community, the centre will make an enormous difference to so many people’s lives both now and in the future. It will be a huge asset to people in Ilford and the surrounding area."

Paul Calaminus, Chief Executive Officer for NELFT NHS Foundation Trust, said:

"We are excited to officially open an integrated health centre at the heart of the vibrant community in Ilford. This new facility marks a milestone in our commitment to providing accessible, integrated care, tailored to the needs of local residents. 

"By offering a range of services under one roof, we aim to improve the overall quality of life for everyone in the area, making healthcare more convenient.’’

Fiona Wheeler, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, said:

“We’re delighted to be part of this. Our Women’s Health Hub, situated within the health centre, offers a range of services which will help us to reduce health inequalities.

“The waiting list for women’s health related care is our biggest and many are waiting too long to get the care they need. Our hub will help us get them treatment they need faster. It’s a great collaborative effort which will make a positive difference in the lives of patients across north east London, particularly women.”

Cllr Kam Rai, Leader of Redbridge Council, said:

"This new health centre right in the heart of Ilford is a significant development for local residents. “It will improve access to a wide range of services, from blood testing to mental health support to GP services. 

“Much like the healthy bus that makes stops across the borough, allowing residents access to health checks, the new health centre is an excellent example of how working closely with local strategic partners can deliver a positive outcome and significantly improve the lives of our local people, something we can all be proud of."

Gita Malhotra, Chair of Healthwatch Redbridge, said: 

"We are delighted to see new service provision for our local populations in Redbridge, positioned right in the heart of the borough. We want to see more of this – services located in community settings. 

"We know that Redbridge residents and citizens need ease of access to health and social care services, services that meet their needs and contribute to health equity. 

"We are really pleased about the women’s health hub and Healthwatch Redbridge looks forward to working in collaboration to ensure inclusivity and the needs of all women in Redbridge are met.

"We particularly welcome the news that local voluntary and community organisations will be able to use the health centre premises in the evenings and weekends to continue to do their vital work." 

In 2022, nearly 1,000 people took part in a public consultation on the centre with the vast majority backing the plans. The feedback received was carefully considered by NHS NEL in close collaboration with other organisations, which work together as part of the Redbridge Place-Based Partnership, to ensure the new centre met local needs.

Following a public vote last year, people in Redbridge chose Ilford Exchange Health Centre as their preferred name for the new centre from a shortlist of seven.