Surbiton's long-awaited health centre opened its doors for the first time today.

The development will combine four GP surgeries from the area with new services like breast screening and mental health.

The opening follows two years of redevelopment on the old Surbiton Hospital site in Ewell Road, which was closed down amid petitions and protests from residents.

Inpatient beds were removed from the hospital in 2005, despite a 7000-person strong campaign against the unit’s closure.

They will not be introduced into the new site. Instead they will remain at Tolworth Hospital where there is 24 hour care.

Kingston and Surbiton MP Edward Davey said the opening of the new health centre was an ‘historic day’ for Surbiton.

He said: “I have campaigned for this day for over 10 years working with residents and GPs so it is fantastic news. It is a historic day for Surbiton. I am just delighted that a long sustained campaign has paid off.”

Mr Davey, who had agreed on the need for the reintroduction of beds, added: “I have heard a lot of medical people say that it is probably better that the beds we have got are at the hospital.

“The changes that have happened have been very significant.

"As much as having the beds in Surbiton would have been nice, we have to face up to the facts.”