About the Practice

The present medical practice is known to have existed as far back as 1793, when a surgeon, Mr Mandell, was appointed by the local squire to provide medical care for the villagers. At that time, Horsham St Faith was a thriving community where a weekly cattle fair, originating from medieval times, boosted the local economy. In contrast, Drayton was a small village some distance from the commercial centre of Norwich. During the 18th and 19th centuries the surgery was based at the home of the local doctor and then in the 1960s, a purpose-built surgery was constructed .

Over the years, this has been extended and modified into the present day building with four consulting rooms, dispensary, treatment room and Occupational Health Office. Also in the 1960s, a small branch surgery was built in the expanding village of Drayton. Due to the continued growth and development of Drayton and Taverham, the branch surgery has grown to its present size and has become the main surgery. Drayton surgery now has six consulting rooms, two nurses rooms, a treatment room, a day procedure unit and the training and research area.

The administrative centre of the practice is at Drayton. Although St Faiths is now our smaller surgery it remains a very important part of the practice and its regular patients are valued as much as those at Drayton. The Doctors and the Nurses at the Practice work at both sites throughout the week and while we try to provide appointments at both sites, you may be required to travel to either surgery if you wish to see your regular Doctor.

The services provided by the Drayton and St Faiths Medical Practice are many and varied. This Practice has a contract with the Norfolk Primary Care Trust to provide Personal Medical Services (PMS). This comprises the core medical care provided to the patients registered with the Practice. In addition, the Practice provides an NHS Vasectomy Service.

The Drayton and St Faiths Medical Practice has been involved in the training of general practitioners since the inception of the GP training scheme in the 1970s. Recently, the Practice has become involved in medical research as an MRC designated research practice as well as hosting externally funded research into epilepsy, gastroenterology and asthma.