HEALTH Secretary Jeremy Hunt has visited Earls Court Health and Wellbeing Centre as part of his activities to mark the 65th anniversary of the NHS.

The Earl’s Court Health and Wellbeing Centre brings together several services in one building including general practice (Greenbrook Healthcare), sexual health (Terrence Higgins Trust), dentistry (NHS Dentist) and wellbeing support (Turning Point).

During his visit the secretary of state viewed the wide range of integrated services the centre offers and met with volunteers who have experience of long term health conditions and other lifestyle issues who support and mentor others to make real changes in their lives.

Jeremy Hunt said: "In 65 years, the NHS has quite simply done more to improve people's lives that any other institution in our history, and its equity and excellence make us the envy of the world.

"To sustain our NHS for the future, I believe we need a much stronger focus on joining up services around people's lives, so that health and care services work more closely together, keeping people healthier and treating them closer to home.

"Places like the Earl's Court Health and Wellbeing Centre, which provides a range of health and wellbeing and community support services in one place, will help us achieve this."

John Piesse, Head of Primary Care in London for Turning Point said: "We are delighted that Jeremy Hunt chose to visit the Earl’s Court Health and Wellbeing Centre as a best practice example of innovative and integrated primary care. Everyone involved in the service is extremely proud of the centre and the work we do here and we enjoyed showing the Secretary of State how the service operates."

Dr Sally Johnson, GP and Medical Director for Greenbrook Healthcare who manage general practice at the service said: "We have quickly built a trusted GP practice in Earl's Court which is highly valued by local patients. Our first rate clinicians, excellent access to GP appointments coupled with the close links to the other services in the centre mean that we are delivering a more holistic approach to primary care and reaching out to the full range of local patients - from the homeless to city commuters.

"We are delighted to be recognised for the difference we are making."