Staff and patients at Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre, Gillingham came together this week to celebrate its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of service since it first opened its doors in October 2005. The event brought together colleagues past and present and local community partners who attended to recognise the team’s remarkable contribution to local healthcare.
“Over the years, I’ve grown both professionally and personally, supported by incredible colleagues who care deeply about one another and about our patients. I’m proud to call this place my second home and to have been part of its journey for the past 20 years.”
Ben Castro, Registered Nurse and Non-Medical Injector at Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre, Gillingham
Since opening, Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre, Gillingham – formerly known as the Will Adams NHS Treatment Centre – has cared for more than 150,000 patients and continues to treat an average of over 550 people every month. Originally focused on endoscopy and general surgery, the hospital has expanded its services significantly over the years. It is now a leading provider of ophthalmology, offering cataract surgery and wet AMD treatments, as well as minor orthopaedics and general surgery. The team was also proud to have maintained its two-week cancer pathway for endoscopy patients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring urgent cases were still seen without delay.
The hospital’s growth over the past 20 years has been matched by continued investment in its facilities. In 2009, two new ophthalmology outpatient rooms were added, followed by a major expansion in 2016 which extended the ward and recovery area and added further outpatient rooms. More recently, the centre has invested in cutting-edge technology, including a state-of-the-art Leica Microscope and Heidelberg OCT machine for advanced eye care, with further investment approved for a Smith & Nephew multi-purpose surgical stack to support laparoscopic procedures such as gall bladder and hernia surgery. In recent years, it has also launched services for private self-paying and insured patients through the launch of its Wellsoon private healthcare service.
Today, the Gillingham team includes 98 dedicated staff, many of whom have been with the hospital for much of its history. Among them is Ben Castro, Registered Nurse and Non-Medical Injector, who joined in 2005 and is proudly celebrating 20 years of service this year.
Reflecting on his journey at the hospital, Bendix said: “When I first arrived from the Philippines in 2005, I was the only Filipino nurse at the hospital. I was far from home, but from the moment I started, I was welcomed with open arms by the Gillingham team. They became my family here in the UK. Over the years, I’ve grown both professionally and personally, supported by incredible colleagues who care deeply about one another and about our patients. I’m proud to call this place my second home and to have been part of its journey for the past 20 years.”
