Somerset residents can now benefit from increased access to healthcare appointments following the opening of a new unit at the Practice Plus Group Hospital in Shepton Mallet. Situated on Bucklers Way, just steps from the town’s NHS community hospital, this facility serves both NHS and private patients, offering a comprehensive range of services including hip and knee replacements.
Construction of the Mendip Unit began in September 2025 as a key part of the hospital’s 20th anniversary celebrations. The new unit was officially inaugurated by hospital director Catherine Farr and chief executive Ross Dowsett, alongside town councillors David Crisfield and Jane Nicklin.
Featuring four consulting rooms, two fully equipped procedure rooms, a dedicated minor theatre, expanded outpatient areas, consultant-led clinical rooms, and a private consulting suite, the Mendip Unit significantly boosts the hospital’s capacity. Services now available on-site include treatments for age-related macular degeneration, oculoplastics, urology, ENT (ear, nose, and throat), gynaecology, and orthopaedics.
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Minor procedures such as varicose vein treatments, vasectomies, carpal tunnel release, and trigger finger release can also be performed, improving local access to consultant-led care.
Ms Farr highlighted the benefits for eastern Somerset patients, stating, “This facility enables quicker access to outpatient services within a modern and updated environment. By treating more patients in outpatient settings rather than theatres, we can significantly reduce wait times.”
Mr Dowsett explained the need for the expansion: “We encountered bottlenecks in some areas and sought to create additional capacity for patients. Although the site is compact, it fundamentally changes the patient pathway by enabling care outside of theatre settings. The build, completed in just 12 weeks with Premier Modular, offers a beautifully designed facility focused on optimal patient experiences.”
Approximately 85% of patients at the Mendip Unit will be NHS-referred, with the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust commissioning procedures to relieve pressure on acute hospitals in Taunton and Yeovil. The remainder will include private insurance holders and self-funding patients.
Mr Dowsett emphasized the unit’s contribution to national healthcare goals: “We are proud to support the NHS by expanding capacity and helping to reduce waiting lists under the government’s ten-year health plan. Our longstanding presence locally means we remain committed partners to the community.”
With outpatient appointments and minor procedures relocated to the Mendip Unit, the main hospital’s operating theatres can prioritize complex elective surgeries like hip and knee replacements. Ms Farr added, “We’ll run more clinics six days a week, extend opening hours, and improve service accessibility, especially for working patients.”
NHS patients can request referrals from their GP, while private patients may book consultations via www.practiceplusgroup.com. Town councillor Jane Nicklin praised the hospital’s innovative expansion: “It’s wonderful to see the Practice Plus Group Hospital creatively increasing its capacity to serve the local community. This positive development truly benefits Shepton Mallet residents.”