Winmalee Medical Centre was officially opened on October 20 by Susan Templeman, MP.
It had been a long time in planning as it was originally envisaged in the 1990s to provide a comprehensive primary medical service for the Springwood/Winmalee/Hawkesbury Heights region.
There was no medical service in Winmalee in 1979 when a sole general practice was set up at 382 Hawkesbury Road. Dr Michael de Vries took this over in April 1983 and has worked at that site since.
The practice has grown to five doctors, two nurses, a physiotherapist and a psychologist and now has pathology collection.
It had become clear that a formal purpose-built centre was required.
A rezoning opposite the shopping complex, courtesy of a former local councillor Alison McLaren, started the process. Dr Van Nguyen commenced planning and construction of the centre four years ago.
The new centre has a formal treatment room to cater for urgent and emergency cases and has associated allied health services.
It will continue to train upcoming general practitioners, medical students and, soon, trainee nurses.
The new centre is at 1A Whitecross Road, Winmalee.