STAFF and patients from the Okement Surgery gathered for the official opening of its new entrance and separate reception last week.

The Okement Surgery, which has been in Okehampton Community Hospital since the practice first opened six and a half years ago, recently expanded within the building to allow better access and a more personal service for its patients.

The practice was run by the Primary Care Trust until October 2009, when it was taken over by the Wallingbrook Health group, who are based at Chulmleigh.

The surgery now operates as a group practice, with four reception and administration staff and three GPs.

The surgery hopes the new extension will help to offer friendly, efficient, patient-centred medical care for its patients.

Administration officer and receptionist Tracy Bradfield said: 'It's just great that we now have the separate entrance and it's easier for patients to get in and out, because they don't have to walk all the way around.

'The other great thing is that a lot of people didn't know we were here before, so now they can be more aware that we are an actual surgery.

'It's just lovely for them to now have their own entrance and to know we are here.'

The surgery, which is not a dispensing practice, has GPs on board five days a week, with one GP working for a whole day.

It offers a morning and afternoon surgery, as well as same-day appointments for people who need to see a doctor on the day.