Trust History

The concept of the "health centre" within the Harlow area was initiated in 1951 when Nuffield Provincial Trust (NPHT) opened the first experimental health centre. This centre, called Haygarth House in the Mark Hall North neighbourhood of Harlow, brought together the services provided by a doctor, dentist, midwife, health visitor, and district nurse.

The success of the first centre encouraged the NPHT to build six health centres in Harlow, Essex towards the end of the 1950's. These centres were named:- Addison House, Nuffield House, Sydenham House, Keats House, Osler House, Lister House.

These were originally conceived in order to centralise the non-hospital health requirements for the new town of Harlow.

The NPHT recognised that management of these premises would be time consuming and potentially costly and, therefore, asked the Harlow Development Corporation (HDC) to take over the day to day running of the properties. These matters were under the control of the HDC until 1980, at which point the corporation was dissolved and the New Town's Commission took control until they were transferred as part of the transfer of assets to Harlow District Council. Subsequently Harlow Council set up the Harlow Health Centres Trust to assume the ownership of the health centres and to be responsible for the day to day control. The Trust was constituted with five trustees, and included people from Health Authorities and GP's under the Chairmanship of Lady Patricia Gibberd. The original Trustees were Martin Lawn, Stan Newens, Dr F Murphy and Dr C Taylor.

Until 1989, Harlow District Council provided administration and financial support for the Trust. As the Trust developed the Trustees deceided to appoint a full-time Administrator (Beryl Lawrence) and in 1994 Carol Sizeland took over this role.

Initially the Trust concentrated on a programme of maintenance to bring the centres up to an improved standard. Major developments were affected by the downturn in the property markets in the late eighties and early nineties. With the change in the economic situation the Trust was able to proceed with major developments and went on to develop The Florence Nightingale Health Centre.

In 1994 the Trust became a limited company and in November 1995 became a registered charity. In 1995 the Trust became fully independant from the Council. However a link with the Council has been maintained by the appointment of Trustees who are also local councillors.

The trust completed its first new developement in April 1997. The health centre was called "The Florence Nightingale Health Centre" and was officially opened on National Nurses Day in June 1999. This health centre accommodates a GP practice, community nurses, dentist and a pharmacy.

The Trust started its 2nd major development at a cost of £2million (Keats House) in December 1997. This project was completed in December 1998. The site was officially opened on 21st September 1999 by lord Phillip Hunt, Under Secretary of State for Health in the Lords.

The Trust completed its third development in November 2000. This centre was officially opened by Alan Milburn, Secretary of State for Health on in February 2000. The Addison Health Centre

Health Centres Opened by Viscount Nuffield Excerpt from newspaper 21.10.5

"One of the greater single contributions made to the welfare of Harlow has undoubtedly been the grants from the Nuffield Provincial Hospital Trust, which has made possible the provision of the group practice and clinic centres in the town. The fact was duly recognized on Monday when Viscount Nuffield opened the new centres, but although he is renowned for his generosity, he is a man of few words - five to be exact, for that is all he took to declare Nuffield House open.

Viscount Nuffield unveiled a plaque in Nuffield House and after the ceremony there, unveiled similar plaques at Sydenham House, Netteswell, and Osler House, Potter Street. Viscount Nuffield, who was accompanied by Lady Nuffield, was welcomed at Nuffield House by Sir Richard Costain, chairman of Harlow Development Corporation. As they entered the building Lady Nuffield was presented with a book, bound in green and gold leather, by young Jonathan Edmunds, a pupil of the Spinney School and later, during tea at the Harlequin, she received a bouquet from Georgina Rivett, another pupil at the school".

Florence Nightingale Health Centre

Addison House

Lady Nuffield stops to chat with a mother and baby at the opening of Nuffield House. With her are Viscount Nuffield (right) and
Sir Richard Costain