Skip to main Beckington Family Practice Home Opening Hours Online Services Our Staff News Contact Us Practice History At the turn of the century, the practice was run by Dr W Evans at Abbey House, Goose Street. He was succeeded by his son, Tyrrel, in 1934 who was lost at sea. The practice was continued by Dr Duncan, a retired naval man. After the war in 1946, Dr Robert Fleming bought the practice, and continued under the NHS from 1948. After fifteen years as a single-handed practitioner Dr Fleming felt the need for help, and Dr John Corcoran joined him in 1961. As there was not quite enough work for two partners, Dr Corcoran augmented the income by working in anaesthetics in local hospitals. A year later, Dr Vaisey of the Freshford practice had a fatal road accident and, as a result, Freshford merged with Beckington. Surgery sessions continued in both villages and at Dr Fleming’s house in Norton St Philip. Patient numbers continued to increase, and in 1964 Dr Edith Napthine was appointed in a part-time capacity at Beckington. By 1971, with a further increase in the workload and Dr Napthine leaving, Dr Short was appointed. Two years later Dr Fleming retired and was replaced by Dr Heber. At this time the lease at Abbey House was not renewed, and the practice was relocated to Enderby Hall. The new surgery was purchased under the Cost Rent scheme and was substantially altered three years later by the same arrangement. With the retirement of Dr Fleming, the Norton St Philip surgery continued, at first in a wing of the Rectory and later in the village hall, reducing the attendance to a once a week visit. Prior to the arrival of Dr Heber, Dr Corcoran ran the Freshford end of the practice on his own, firstly from Dr Vaisey’s old home and then from Younghusband House. These premises had never been ideal and the practice had always been on the lookout for more satisfactory premises. In 1985 the partnership prepared plans for a new development on a green field site, but unfortunately the vendor died before completion and the partnership was unable to proceed. With the arrival of Dr Heber the surgeries at Freshford each weekday were shared between him and Dr Corcoran with all three partners sharing the work at Beckington. A weekly branch surgery at Rode was introduced at first in the home of Mrs Wilkins and after that in the village hall. This website uses cookies We use cookies to improve user experience. Choose what cookies you allow us to use. You can read more about our cookies before you choose. STRICTLY NECESSARY PERFORMANCE TARGETING FUNCTIONALITY ACCEPT ALL DECLINE ALL