Introduction
In 1998, the practice relocated to a purpose-built health centre, erected on the site of its original premises. For the new building provides a centre of excellence for the provision of general medical services to the residents of the Bush Fair district of Harlow.
Building Profile
The Centre provides a base for The Hamilton Practice and another general practice of similar size. Together, the two practices provide immediate front line medical services for approximately 20% of the residents of Harlow Town.
In addition to the two general practices, the Centre houses the community nursing facilities associated to the practices. A team of district nurses, health visitors and midwives provide in-home serves for the elderly and the infirm.
Perhaps for the first time in its history, The Hamilton Practice has at its disposal the space and the means to provide an exemplary service to its patients. The facilities within the Keats House Health Centre are among the best that may be found in general practice today.
Building Facilities
The accommodation available to the practice within the Centre has been fitted out to comprise:
- Air Conditioning throughout.
- Seven consulting suites with integral, private examination facilities.
- Two treatment rooms, providing the practice nurses with a supreme, sterile workplace.
- A fully equipped operating theatre for the conduction of surgical procedures in a well-controlled, clean environment.
- A well-stocked library and quiet study room.
- A common room where staff can relax in comfort away from the demands of the workplace.
- A suite with integral shower room, for use by anyone who might need to stay overnight.
- A kitchen area on each of the two floors, each equipped with good food storage and preparation areas.
- A spacious reception office, holding the paper-based records for the practice’s 10,000 patients.
- A waiting room sufficient to seat approximately 50 patients.
- A play area for the small people visiting the surgery with their parents, providing a safe place of distraction while they wait to see a doctor or nurse.
- ‘Jayex’ Patient Electronic Call Display system.
- The latest ‘NEG Surgery Line’ telephone system.
- The latest ‘Jayex’ Automated Patient Check in system.
Reception, Waiting Room and Reception Office
The waiting room is a key feature of the building, with a ‘Jayex’ Patient Electronic Call Display system, ‘Jayex’ Automated Patient Check-in system and excellent artificial lighting supplementing natural daylight from a glazed wall along one side of the room.
The glazed wall looks out onto an atrium planted with shrubs and climbing plants. The flower-beds surround a central water feature, from which the soothing sound of tumbling water filters into the waiting room.
Located behind the Reception Desk is the office which holds the paper based records for the practice’s 10,000 patients.
The Play Area
Integral to the waiting room is an enclosed children’s play area. The play area is designed for purpose, with play surfaces and open storage areas built in. It is distinguished from the rest of the waiting room by its decoration, which is comprised of a mural covering the three walls.
The mural was a project for sixth form art students from Brays Grove School, who designed and painted the background and the striking characters from the children’s cartoon world.
Administration Office
Our Administration office is where our Secretaries and Audit Clerks undertake their day to day duties.