Brand new private 'A&E alternative' doctor's surgery to open Chelmsford
A former NHS doctors surgery in Chelmsford that has been closed for more than a year has now reopened private health centre. The Dickens Place Surgery closed in April 2023 having served residents in the Melbourne and Newlands Spring areas of Chelmsford.
Now, a new private urgent care walk-in centre has opened in Chelmsford, providing residents with an alternative to A&E for minor injuries and illnesses. Chelmsford Health Centre offers same-day treatments and assessments, helping to reduce pressure on local emergency departments while providing quick access to medical care.
Located just 8 minutes from the Chelmsford station, the centre treats a wide range of non-life-threatening conditions including minor injuries, infections, sprains, cuts requiring stitches, and acute illnesses. Patients can walk in without appointment or book same-day consultations, with significantly shorter waiting times than A&E.
"Many people attend A&E with conditions that could be treated elsewhere, simply because they don't have access to quick medical care," says Dr Poobashni Govender, the Registered Manager at Chelmsford Health Centre. "We're providing a much-needed alternative, offering immediate access to experienced medical professionals for urgent but non-emergency conditions."
The centre's urgent care services include walk-in consultations with experienced urgent care practitioners, on-site diagnostic services including blood tests, ECG, and ultrasounds.
It will also carry out minor surgical procedures and wound care, rapid access to specialists on-site when needed, extended opening hours including evenings and weekends and treatments for both adults and children. Chelmsford Health Centre aims to see urgent cases within 30 minutes, providing a faster alternative for those able to self-fund their care.
Dr Raja Mohan, the Medical Director at the centre, explains: "We're not here to replace A&E – emergency departments are vital for life-threatening conditions. We're here to provide an alternative for the many minor injuries and illnesses that need urgent attention but aren't emergencies. This helps patients get faster care while reducing pressure on NHS emergency services."
To mark its opening, the centre is having an open day on February 8th 2025. The centre is located at Dickens Place, Chelmsford CM1 4UU, with parking available on site.