Luther Street Medical Centre is an award-winning GP surgery which provides healthcare to people experiencing homelessness, or who are vulnerably housed, in Oxford City.

Oxford Health’s Chief Executive, Grant Macdonald, paid a visit to see the improvements for himself and to speak to some of the staff that make a difference to people’s lives.

He said: “Everyone who comes to Luther Street is treated with dignity and respect and the staff here really are amazing. They work with some of the community’s most vulnerable people and I believe that they play a very important role in their lives.

“The new flooring, colour scheme and general overhaul of the reception may seem like a small thing, but it makes a big difference and gets any visit to Luther Street off on the right foot.

“I have been impressed by what I have heard from staff, especially about the relationships that are built up with patients and the appreciation those who visit have for the facility. We want to make sure that Luther Street is well-known about locally so that anyone who needs help in Oxford is able to get it.”

The practice has been part of the NHS since 2001 and Oxford Health since 2013. It opened in 1985 in temporary accommodation with charitable donations funding the building of the current clinic which opened in 1998 and was extended in 2005.

Despite its humble location Luther Street is a national centre of excellence and has between 450 and 500 patients on its books at any one time.

And now, thanks to the enthusiasm of staff and funding from Oxford Health, the reception area has been given a make-over with newly painted walls, new flooring, an upgraded and accessible reception staff area and an overall calming colour scheme.

Practice Manager, Louise Daly, said: “Luther Street was set up almost 40 years ago and has been a valuable part of the city centre ever since.

“We are all pleased to have been able to improve the surroundings in the reception area for our patients and also to use it as an opportunity to raise awareness.

“It is very easy for people who are homeless or vulnerably housed to register with us. We also provide advice on registering elsewhere if someone is moving to another part of the county or country.”

To find out more about the Luther Street Medical Centre visit this page.