GP surgery calls in design experts to help keep staff and patients safe

A YORKSHIRE Dales doctor’s surgery has updated its waiting room to help keep its staff and patients safe.

Reeth Medical Centre, near Richmond, has had its seating reupholstered with an easy-to-clean, antimicrobial surface to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The work was done by Ghyll House Upholstery and Design which has worked with several GP practices to redesign their patient waiting areas.

Marie Brookes, managing partner at Reeth Medical Centre, said: “When we realised that the situation with Covid-19 was not going to get significantly better any time soon, we decided to invest in new seating which would ensure the waiting room is fit for purpose for the future.

“It’s essential that we provide a safe, welcoming environment for our patients, and the new seating ticks all those boxes. As well as being easy-to-clean, it has freshened up the waiting room and made it a nice place for our patients to visit.”

The six benches were reupholstered by Ghyll House at its base at Mealsgate, near Cockermouth in Cumbria. They were reinstalled by the team at the surgery over a weekend to ensure the process was Covid secure.

Joe McAlpine, general manager of Ghyll House Upholstery and Design, said: “We’ve been working with GP surgeries to provide cost-effective solutions for them, including fast-acting, effective and durable antimicrobial fabrics and vinyls, which help prevent the spread of coronavirus.”

The Reeth Medical Centre serves a 200 square-mile area covering Swaledale and Arkengarthdale. It cares for more than 1,600 people, with 30 per cent of its patients aged 65 or over.

Marie, whose husband Dr Mike Brookes is the GP Partner at the medical centre, said: “It’s important that when people visit the medical centre that they feel safe and comfortable, as well as having somewhere pleasant to sit before they see the doctor.

“Ghyll House did an excellent job. Joe and his team couldn’t have been more helpful and we’re delighted with the end result.”