Castle Circus Health Centre is celebrating 50 years of caring for the people of Torbay and South Devon, marking the anniversary of its opening on 31 March 1976.
The centre was formally opened by the Worshipful the Mayor of Torbay, Councillor John Farrell OBE, and has been a trusted and familiar part of the town ever since. For half a century, it has supported generations of local people at every stage of their lives, evolving continually to meet changing health needs.
In its early years, the centre supported services such as mother and baby clinics, offering vital support to young families. Over time, the range of care delivered from Castle Circus has grown significantly.
Today, the building is home to a wide mix of essential community and outpatient services, including Neuropsychology, Children’s Speech and Language Therapy, the Blue Badge Service, Podiatry and Orthotics, Community Dental Services and Sexual Health Services. Clinics also run for Lower Limb Therapy Services, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening, adult and paediatric Bladder and Bowel Services, foot clinics and Drug and Alcohol Services. Bringing so many services together under one roof helps ensure joined‑up, accessible care for people across Torbay and South Devon.
Anna Pryor, Baywide Community Services Support Manager and manager of Castle Circus Health Centre, said: “Castle Circus is a really special place to work. It’s a busy building and always has been, but there’s a real sense of purpose here. Over the years the services have changed, but what hasn’t changed is the commitment of the people who work in the building. Everyone plays their part in keeping things running and making sure people feel supported when they come through the doors.”
Joe Teape, Chief Executive of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust added: “Castle Circus Health Centre is such an important part of the care we provide to our community, and what makes Castle Circus so important isn’t just the building, but the people working within it. The teams here do a huge amount every day, often behind the scenes, to support people with their care.”
To mark the milestone, staff at Castle Circus Health Centre held a small celebration, attended by Joe Teape and Chair Chris Balch, who shared their thanks and reflections, along with a slice of cake. The Trust extends its thanks to Torbay and South Devon NHS Charity for generously funding the cakes and refreshments.
The anniversary is an opportunity to recognise the dedication and professionalism of the many colleagues, volunteers, partner organisations and patients who have been part of Castle Circus Health Centre’s story during the past five decades. Castle Circus hasn’t stood still; it has changed with Torquay and continues to meet the needs of local people today.
If you worked in Castle Circus at some point during the past 50 years and have a story to share, please contact the communications team at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust tsdft.communicationsteam@nhs.net.
