Surgery has opened

The two-storey surgery, Dr Lawton and Partners, is on the same Turkey Road site as the previous building and is almost three times bigger.

The larger area will allow for a wider range of services to be offered to patients, such as sexual health clinics, minor surgery and chronic disease management. There is also a pharmacy in the building, so patients are able to get their healthcare and medication under one roof.

The surgery has been operating from temporary accommodation since May 2007 to allow the construction work to take place.

Andrew Thomas-Pam, Business Partner and Practice Manager for Dr Lawton and Partners, said: "It has been an exhilarating journey and I'm mindful of all the hard work and determination from everyone involved that's turned a vision into reality.

"We applaud the collaboration of Rother District Council, Hastings and Rother Primary Care Trust and Carisbrooke Medical Centres, and pay special tribute to Maurice Brocklesby, Managing Director of Carisbrooke, for being as good as his word, and along with Westridge Construction, providing the very professional expertise and friendly hand-holding that's been available to us throughout the project.

"An all-encompassing but sincere note of gratitude for the cooperation and support received from the good folks at Sidley Community Association, the League of Friends, local residents and all those who have helped or been involved along the way.

"Finally, a thank you to the patients and staff of Dr Lawton and Partners who have endured the disruption to services but may now reap the benefit of a very impressive new Sidley Surgery."