Private GP service highlights the benefits of joined-up care
A private GP service near Uffculme is delighted with the positive impact that its neighbouring wellbeing hub is having on patient care, demonstrating how integrated support can improve health outcomes.
Peninsula Private Medical Services operates within Waterloo Court Health and Wellbeing Hub, a purpose‑built development close to Junction 27 of the M5 that brings medical care, wellbeing practitioners and complementary therapies together under one roof. The site was created by local landowner Mike Blackmore, who supported the vision for a central hub that would benefit the local and wider communities.
It’s home to several permanent businesses; Peninsula Private Medical Services, The Pilates Studio Devon and the Beauty Barn, alongside a mix of experienced local practitioners offering services ranging from counselling and psychology support to physiotherapy, sports therapy and massage therapy, plus dietician and nutrition support, ear syringing and aesthetics.
Lead Clinician, Dr Charlie Brough explains: “Peninsula Private Medical provides traditional GP services as well as comprehensive health checks and targeted care for menopause plus minor procedures and cryotherapy.
“For us, there’s a huge advantage that our patients can access the wider support at the Hub. Patients will come to us for a medical consultation, and in many cases, we can see that they will also benefit from other forms of practical help with recovery, such as lifestyle, mobility or general wellbeing.
“Being part of Waterloo Court helps us to create a more joined up and convenient experience for patients. A patient attending for a GP consultation may be signposted towards services within the hub that could support their broader needs, giving them the opportunity to access a wider range of support in one place, in a way that feels practical and accessible.
Claire Thomas, who provides phlebotomy and nutrition support at Waterloo Court Health and Wellbeing Hub, says: “One of the real strengths of Waterloo Court is that it brings different types of support together in one place. People are often looking for more than a single appointment. They want to understand what is going on, but they also want practical help to feel better, improve their energy, build confidence and make changes that last. Being based alongside the GP service and other practitioners makes those next steps feel much more accessible and connected.”
National data reflects the growing appetite for integrated care. According to the BACP, more than a third of people have had counselling in their lives, and of those, around three-quarters would recommend it to someone else. Meanwhile, a BMJ-published survey found that over 65 percent of people used traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM) within a 12‑month period, concluding that “there is a need for more research on integrating TCIM into mainstream healthcare and the National Health Service.”
The integrated model provided by Peninsula Private Medical Services and Waterloo Cross Health and Wellbeing Hub is already demonstrating how medical care and complementary therapies can work hand in hand to improve outcomes, offering patients a seamless, evidence‑informed pathway to better health.
