FRIERN Barnet Medical Centre was officially reopened after a revamp by its oldest and youngest patient yesterday.
Around 60 people gathered at the clinic in St Johns Villas as 103-year-old Lilian Goodwin and the parents of two-weeks-old Charlotte Borg cut a red ribbon at the entrance to the building.
The centre first opened in 1944 in a semi-detached three bedroom house and the refurbishment began in November 2009 after owners Doctor Sneha Patel and Doctor Hitesh Shah purchased the house next door.
As well as being twice as big, the centre has new equipment from chairs and beds to computers and stethoscopes.
Mrs Goodwin lives in New Southgate and has been a patient at the centre since 1986.
She said: “I was very excited when they asked me to come and cut the ribbon – it’s a real honour.
“The staff have always made this a comforting place to come and now it’s been refurbished it looks lovely.”
Claire Borg, 24 has attended Friern Barnet since she was born and continues to use it with her husband Marcel Borg, 31 and their children, Angel Borg, 10, Callum Borg, 5, and their new baby Charlotte.
Mrs Borg said: “The place looks amasing now – we’ll tell Charlotte about her part in its opening when she’s older and I’m sure she’ll be very proud."
It is hoped more staff will be employed and more services such as specialist help for those suffering from asthma and diabetes will be provided.
Manager, Bridie Mangan said: “We currently have around 5,000 patients but the extension will mean we can handle more.
“It’s a fantastic centre and we would like people in the community to make the most of it.”
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