Shipston Medical Centre to begin delivering GP services from Ellen Badger Hospital
Patients in Shipston-on-Stour and its surrounding area will soon be able to access GP services from new clinical facilities at Ellen Badger Hospital, as Shipston Medical Centre begins operating from the site on Monday (March 9).
When the Ellen Badger Hospital re-opened last May after undergoing a revamp last year, campaigners – who had tried in vain to have rehabilitation beds located there - reacted angrily.
This is because the hospital re-opened with no minor injuries department or x-ray facilities, meaning patients have to travel elsewhere for these services.
Alasdair Elliott, chairman of the Beds for Badger campaign group, was a leading voice in the campaign to have some of the 35 beds available across the area allocated to the Ellen Badger Hospital.
At the time of the re-opening, he said: “The vast majority of the residents of Shipston-on-Stour and the surrounding rural community are furious the new building has the bare faced cheek to have the words “Ellen Badger Hospital” prominently displayed.”
In March 2025, after a six-week public consultation, The NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) announced that the rehabilitation beds in south Warwickshire would be permanently located at two sites, Leamington Spa Rehabilitation Hospital and Stratford Hospital.
Now, South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust (SWFT) has said the addition of Shipston Medical Centre to the hospital will provide services from the first floor using 11 consultation rooms, including ten clinical rooms and one treatment room.
The trust said: “The modern facilities meet current healthcare standards and will support the delivery of high‑quality, accessible care for the local community.
"Locating GP services alongside community and hospital services will strengthen integrated working between primary care, community services, secondary care, and voluntary sector partners.
"This approach aligns with national ambitions to move more care into community‑based settings as part of the NHS’s long‑term strategy for integrated and preventative care.
"The NHS’ 10‑Year Plan emphasises integrated care teams and neighbourhood‑focused services - bringing care closer to people’s homes - as key to improving access and outcomes for patients.
“The long‑term agreement between Shipston Medical Centre and SWFT will also enable much‑needed improvements at the practice’s current facility, ensuring it remains fit for the future and allowing services to operate across both locations long-term.”
Routine GP and nurse appointments will primarily take place in the new clinical rooms at Ellen Badger Hospital.
More acute or urgent needs will generally continue to be managed at the Shipston Medical Centre site.
Dr Paul Daniel, senior GP partner at Shipston Medical Centre, said: ”Having been constrained by space for many years, the additional clinical rooms for Shipston Medical Centre at Ellen Badger Hospital allows increased capacity for services.
"The whole team are excited by the ability to offer care from this modern, purpose-built facility.
"Our thanks to Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board and SWFT colleagues for their help and support in making this possible.”
Sophie Gilkes, chief strategy officer for SWFT, said: “This partnership with Shipston Medical Centre reflects our shared commitment to delivering health services that are coordinated and centred around the needs of local people.
"Working collaboratively across primary, community and hospital care supports the development of integrated teams - a core priority of the NHS’ ten-year plan - and helps us bring care closer to where people live.”