Shepton Mallet hospital expands with new outpatient facility
The new Mendip Unit aims to improve healthcare access across Somerset
Practice Plus Group Hospital in Shepton Mallet has opened a new outpatient unit to boost healthcare provision in Somerset.
Located on Old Wells Road, the Mendip Unit was officially opened by Chief Executive Ross Dowsett and Hospital Director Catherine Farr, alongside local figures including Shepton Mallet councillors Cllr David Crisfield and Cllr Jane Nicklin.
The unit is part of phase one of a modernization plan launched during the hospital's 20th anniversary year in 2025.
The expansion aims to streamline services, moving outpatient appointments and minor procedures from the main hospital into the new building.
This change allows existing operating theatres to concentrate on more complex surgeries, such as hip and knee replacements, benefiting both NHS and private patients.
The Mendip Unit houses four consulting rooms and two procedure rooms, offering services in various medical fields like orthopaedics, urology, ENT, and gynaecology.
It also provides treatments for varicose veins and day-case procedures, improving local access to consultant-led care.
Ross Dowsett, Chief Executive of Practice Plus Group, highlighted the benefits of the new facility, saying: “The opening of our new dedicated Mendip Unit in Shepton Mallet is a major step forward for the hospital and healthcare in Somerset. By creating an additional modern, patient-focused space for both NHS and private outpatient care and minor procedures, we can treat more patients more efficiently, while freeing up theatres for increased elective surgeries like hip and knee replacements.”
Cllr Jane Nicklin expressed satisfaction with the development, saying: “It’s fantastic to see that Practice Plus Group Hospital Shepton Mallet have been able to expand their facilities by thinking creatively about how they can increase the space that they work in. It is great to see it up and running for the benefit of patients that are local to Shepton Mallet. We are truly pleased that this is happening.”
The unit's innovative modular design supports sustainability in healthcare, offering a calm environment for treatment while enhancing local capacities.