Sharing our memories of Heald Green
Last Updated 16th November 2025
By Helen Morgan
First Published 20/04/2025
Last Updated 20/04/2025
Yes, in his own house both before and after the NHS
Now in the 21st century, it really is so hard to believe that before 1948 a visit to the doctor, dentist or optician had to be paid for there and then. Regardless of the fact that our village was in leafy Cheshire countryside, poverty here was rife. The jobs for the working men and women were mainly land based farm work, or weavers connected to the cotton trade. Back then winters were very cold and summers very warm and these conditions led to a myriad of infectious diseases that easily spread. Diptheria, measles, scarlet fever, TB and polio were killers amongst children. The child mortality rate was high. If children got to the age of 12, they did so with rotten teeth, poor bones and weak hearts. The idea of the bread winner of the house falling seriously ill was a nightmare for all working class families.
With Britain emerging victorious after WW11 and with a new socialist Labour government, there came the idea that society as a whole needed a massive overhaul and a new National Health Service was to be part of that. However, by 1947 healthcare was still the preserve of the rich. In 1948 the health minister Aneurin Bevan proclaimed that there would be free healthcare, paid for by taxes and the ability to pay them within the next six months! That would be no mean feat to employ staff, equip hospitals and set up pharmacies for the drugs. Doctors were horrified by the attack on their privileged world and via the British Medical Council stated their claims, declaring a war on a “socialist experiment” with the notion of “he can do nothing without us.” In February 1948 they voted by an overwhelming 85% to not support Bevan.
What doctors failed to realise was that Bevan was supported by 87% of Britain, both working and middle classes. There may have been rationing, food queues and shortages but the people had fought the war and were optimistic of a new, fairer, classless society.
Hospitals at the time were charity based and survived on donations from rich benefactors. There was strict hierarchy from the consultant downwards. It was these consultants that Bevan targeted. Their hospitals were essentially broke but perhaps the national scheme could put money their way to buy the latest x-ray machine or portable lung? Perhaps they could have their cake and eat it, by working for the NHS and retaining their private practices? The British Medical Association’s election for a leader came around again. There were two men in the running, one was pro NHS and the other anti. Unbelievably Lord Moran, who was for the NHS won by just five votes. Bevan then gave a guarantee that consultants would never be civil servants with an Act of Parliament and the deal was sealed.
Doctors and the BMA dug their heels in and threatened strikes along with continued resistance. To counter this Bevan went ahead with public information campaigns spearheading the fact that everything would cost nothing, whether that was hospital and specialist services, medicines, drugs and appliances along with dental and eye care. He also targeted a female audience. They were the silent majority with childbirth complications, gynaecological problems, anaemia and of course looking after sick relatives at home as best they could. It has to be remembered that 100,000 children a year were dying of diphtheria alone and there was no immunisation for the likes of measles. After the campaign 75% of the British public had filled in NHS registration forms.
The tide was turning and the BMA were out of step with the public. Younger doctors, new to the profession, could see the merits but it was the older doctors that remained sceptical. The public were asked to choose their own doctor and it soon became clear that those that were not on board would lose out altogether. The BMA advised all doctors to join with just five weeks to go.
However, as July approached there were calls for a delay to the published date of July 5th. Bevan rejected that, as he knew there would never be enough of what was needed. Only the military had a larger budget. 30,000 new nurses were trained to man 400,000 hospital beds. Many were in temporary corrugated iron sheds, as a make do effort, due to the fact that during the war at least 3,000 hospitals had been bombed. The press predicted disaster with 50 million Britons clambering for services.
The day arrived. Monday July 5th, 1948, with what was described as the greatest political achievement of the century, for which the tory party under Winston Churchill had tried desperately to make a non-starter. On that afternoon Bevan chose Manchester and came to visit Trafford Park Hospital. His vision laid out for him of free healthcare for the poor against all the odds.
The scale of the treatments that followed just proves without a shadow of a doubt what the poor had put up with and waiting rooms overflowed. In that first year 33 million sets of dentures were made, 240 million prescriptions filled and glasses production could not keep up. Decades of neglect were being rectified. Within 10 years infant mortality rates had halved, life expectancy increased and death by infectious diseases was down by 80%. The effect of the NHS on the population was immediate and dramatic.
With all this background of the years before and after the creation of the NHS, let us now look at what medical provision there was within the village.
1
Doctor James Charlesworth Hewetson
The quintessential village doctor who lived on Styal Road. His family were from Mongeham in Kent and he was born in 1900. In 1931 his wedding would be described as one of the social events of the year. He married Enid Frances Entwistle Godson, who was the daughter of a Cheadle doctor with 40 years of service. They married on a Wednesday at Cheadle parish church and the event carried half a front page spread in the local newspaper.
This recorded everything from attire worn, hymns sung, speeches, attendees and a long list of wedding presents received. These presents gave a glimpse into the life of no ordinary resident. Silver sauce boat, silver bonbon dishes, writing tablet, bread platter, hot water jug cover, morning tea set and tray, jaeger rug, silver fruit spoons, cigarette box, brass bell, bird bath.....the list goes on and on. The day after on the Thursday, the bride’s family finished off their celebrations with “a jolly tea” for over 100 villagers in Cheadle!
On the 1939 register, the Hewetsons lived at 302 Styal Road with a servant.
Fig. 1 Hewetson wedding Stockport Advertiser and Guardian 12.6.1931
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"I was delivered in 1932 by Dr Hewetson, who had a surgery on the side of a large house on Styal Road. I was delivered by forceps and still have the bump on my head to prove it. My mum never forgave him for that."
- Bob Downs, In conversation 2021
"I remember Dr Hewetson. He was our doctor for many years when I was a child in the late 1950s/early 1960s. That was in the days when the GP knew his patients and made house calls himself. I think the surgery was to the side of a house, up a few steps, no appointment was needed. You just sat in the waiting room in the order you arrived and gradually moved round the room until you got to his door! I’m pretty sure there was a lady in the next room, maybe his wife, who made up the prescriptions."
- Aileen Harding, Facebook 2025
"Dr Hewetson on Styal Road is where we went in the 1940/50s and just arrived in his waiting room, no appointments in those days and you waited your turn to be seen. He did home visits with his brown leather doctor’s bag to put stitches in my knee."
- Phil Jones, Facebook 2021
"I remember him well and his visits to our house on Hambleton Road. I was very young at the time but remember my pet name for him was “doc doc”. I think he retired late and when I started primary school. From what I remember he was a gentleman and my parents held him in high regard."
- Martyn Griffiths, Facebook 2025
"He was our family doctor. I was just a young child at the time, but I do know that he was not loved by everybody. However, he was always okay with us and would do house visits if anyone was too sick to attend his surgery, which was at his house on Styal Road, not far from the junction with Elmsleigh Road."
- Iann Mann, Facebook 2025
"Dr Hewetson delivered me at Gatley Nursing Home in 1944."
- Chris Barratt, Facebook 2025
"Dr Hewetson was the only doctor at the clinic in the 60s. Then it was Dr Jones I think."
- Louise Golden, Facebook 2025
"My mum told me that Dr Hewetson brought me into this world! I am 77 this year.”
“Before the surgery was built, I remember Dr Hewetson’s surgery just off the end of Brown Lane. It was his house. A waiting room with about 12 chairs and you had to remember who was next!"
- Jeanne Yvonne Walsh, Facebook 2025
Doctor Chapman
Fig. 2 The corner cottage flat on Newbury Road 25.6.2021
© H Morgan
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With the population boom in the 1950s and the Manchester overspill council house estate being built on Outwood Road, Dr Chapman’s surgery set up there.
"There was a doctors on Outwood Road in the bottom flat on the corner of Newbury Road. You can still see the light at the door."
- Steven Hough, Facebook 2025
"Dr Chapman was my doctor from 1956. His practice was the flat on the corner of Newbury Road.”
“Whilst my parents were at work I was in charge of my 3 brothers. They used to leave us with a threepenny bit each for ice cream. Once my brother swallowed his and I had to take him to the doctors at the bottom of Outwood Road. Dr Chapman just gave me a letter telling my mum to take him to hospital."
- Christine Kinlin Facebook 2025 and in conversation 2021
"My grandma used to live above what was possibly the first doctor’s surgery in Heald Green. It was the ground floor maisonette, Flat 99 Outwood Road. I think it was Dr Chapman. My grandma was the first into the newly built flats in the 1950s until she died in early 2000."
- Richard Osborne, Facebook 2025
Dr Chapman ran his surgery from the cottage flat but lived on Queensway. He later converted his garage into a surgery.
"When we first moved to Newbury Road in 1956, I was 5 years old. Dr Chapman had the bottom flat across the road from us which was his surgery. After a few years he had his garage at his house on Queensway converted to a surgery. I still remember the lino on his floor was black with coloured shapes."
- Lynda Jackson, Facebook 2025
"I remember Dr Chapman. He always visited the old Griffin Farm when we were poorly. He was a superb doctor and you felt safe with him. His visits always made me feel better and he was able to make a correct diagnosis, giving good advice. He was very tall and had to dip his head getting through doorways! He seemed like a family friend at the time and I will always remember him from my childhood."
- Patricia Darby, Facebook 2025
"I remember Dr Chapman being in his house. I used to go and see him with the most dreadful earaches. Awful. He was on Finney Lane almost opposite where the clinic is now, in one of those big houses. Well, it was big when I was 7 years old."
- Gillian Hollingworth, Facebook 2025
"We lived on Queensway for 32 years and we were told that the house on the corner (12 or 10) used to be Dr Chapman’s surgery before the health centre was built."
- Wendy Berry, Facebook 2025
Doctor Shiers
"Dr Shiers had consulting rooms on the side of his house at 37 St Ann’s Road North, up until around 1965."
- Jonathan Waterworth, Facebook 2025
In 1965 Dr Shiers was one of 13 doctors who attended a meeting with our local MP, William Shepherd. Problems within the NHS system were coming to a head. “Conditions of service, demands on the doctors time and the possible withdrawal from the National Health Service were among the problems discussed.”
“We are extremely dissatisfied with things as they are. But it was generally agreed by mutually listening to each others’ problems, a closer understanding had been reached on some points. We are a little nearer to solving some of the problems.”
“We have no plans for taking any further steps locally, the problem is a national one.” Said Dr Shiers.
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Fig. 3 Dr Shiers
Stockport Express & Advertiser 17.4.1986
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"There was another doctors on St Ann’s Road, Dr Shiers. It had glass on the front."
- Sheila Saunders, Facebook 2021
"I remember taking my daughter down to his house, out of hours, to be checked over. The glass area was like a waiting area. At least we saw our own doctor."
- Ann Park, Facebook 2021
Doctor Lochran
"I only remember Dr Lochran. I have asked my mum for other details. She lived in Heald Green from the 1950s. She talks a lot about “nurse Bailey” who seemed to deliver all the babies in the area, including me and my brother. He was my doctor in the late 1950s and 1960s. Apparently, he was based in Cheadle in a house on the main road to Stockport. He was very intimidating. I remember my Mum saying to me when we had school vaccinations to get near to the front of the queue because the needle would be sharp. Unbelievable now that needles were re used!"
– Kay Hinchcliffe Sabell, Facebook 2025
"I’m sure we used to see Dr Lochran at a surgery in Cheadle in the 1950s."
– Patricia Morris, Facebook 2025
Wilmslow Road Surgery
This was located in a house between the shops on Wilmslow Road and the Griffin pub. Drs Chapman and Shiers worked there too. It was definitely there in the 1960s but perhaps earlier than that?
"I went to Dr Shires on Wilmslow Road, before he moved to the bottom of Queensway. I moved to Heald Green in August 1960 and the surgery was well established then."
– Barbara Miller, Facebook 2025
"When we moved to Heald Green in April 1962, our doctor’s surgery was in a semi detached house on Wilmslow Road, until the new surgery was built. I remember seeing Dr Shiers, Dr Chapman and Dr Payne there. They’d do home visits if you were poorly. I think the entrance to the surgery was at the side of the house and I remember big Silver Cross prams being parked outside, while mothers took their babies into the surgery."
- Hazel Hankinson, Facebook 2025
"After my sister was born in 1960 the District Nurse, Nurse McMeckan, made post natal home visits. She would regularly be seen cycling through the village wearing her blue uniform en route to her house calls. I think she lived down the bottom end of Neal Avenue. Once the home visit appointments came to an end, we would visit our family doctor’s surgery, Dr Shires, for the ongoing post-natal checks and immunisations. The NHS orange juice and cod liver oil were also dispensed from his surgery at this time. Visits were made on foot and took us past the old Griffin pub that fronted directly on Wilmslow Road. His practice was based out of a house a little further up towards Merwood Avenue. The journey home took us past the Cheadle Royal laundry and frequently involved calling in on Mrs Finnigan to see what oddments of wool she had in stock (my mother knitted woollen patchwork quilts) whilst I watched the cobbler next door through his open shop doorway. It was a step down into his shop, so this was a good vantage point to watch him at work. A year or so later the Shires family bought a house on St Anns Road North. Dr Shires had a purpose built extension added on as his surgery. There was a separate foot entrance off the road, so that patients didn’t have to disturb the family. This was probably only in use a year or so, as Dr Shires joined the group practice at the Heald Green Clinic. The home clinic door was replaced by a window, the connecting footpath to the road removed and the extension was converted into extra living space."
- Jonathan Waterworth, Facebook 2025
Doctor Norman Eccles
In September 1963 conditional consent was given to build a doctor’s surgery and waiting room at 1 St Anns Road North. This doctor kept his practice separate from the clinic, once it was built, and was remembered by many.
"I bought Dr Eccles house off him in 2016. On the searches it only shows Dr Eccles as the previous owner. I don’t know when the practice closed. But when I bought the house the surgery and waiting room were still intact."
– John Tasker, Facebook 2025
Fig. 4 Dr Eccles property 8.3.2025
© H Morgan
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"I worked at Northenden group practice for 33 years. Dr Eccles and Dr Williams were part of it. The practice on St Anns Road was Dr Eccles house but used as a branch surgery of the Northenden group. We also had a branch surgery in Gatley called Gatley Green surgery where I worked most. Dr Eccles surgery at his house and Gatley Green surgery were never part of Heald Green surgery.”
“Dr Eccles surgery was just two small rooms, a waiting room and Drs consulting room. His wife Margery was his receptionist."
– Angela Gill, Facebook 2025
"I worked at Gatley Green surgery with Dr Eccles. He also had a surgery on St Anns Road North where he worked with his wife as receptionist and out of hours calls. For nursing services, he sent patients to see me in Gatley."
– Cynthia Mellish, Facebook 2025
"My parents lived on Queensway when they married in 1959 and I was born in 1963. My mum always said she was with Dr Eccles. I remember him coming to the house when I was small and going to the surgery on St Anns Road. It used to be just him and then Dr Williams came along and then more doctors. I went overseas to work in 1981 when I was 18, but think when I came home in the winter, I still went to the surgery."
- Suzanne Tapia, Facebook 2025
"We used to go to Dr Williams on St Anns Road near the junction with Finney Lane."
– Claire Tomlinson, Facebook 2025
"I was a patient of Dr Eccles and remember all 3 of those surgeries you name over the years. Dr Eccles was my GP when I was pregnant with my second daughter and wanted to be present at her home birthday. So, one Monday morning a neighbour was in his waiting room when he came out and said the surgery was now closing so he could attend a delivery. By the time she had walked home, his car was parked outside our house! A couple of years later I was in his surgery having a smear test. His daughter was coming on guide camp with me a few weeks later and he asked me questions about it while he was carrying out my examination!! Hilarious."
- Marilyn Connolly, Facebook 2025
"My family also saw Dr Eccles on St Anns Road. Sometimes there was another Dr there. I recall the waiting room being quite small! You didn’t need an appointment, you simply turned up! They also had a surgery in Gatley. House calls were common. They would call to see you after surgery hours, that was twice a day! Morning and late afternoon."
– Jill Presley, Facebook 2025
"There was also a Dr Hunter. Oh, the good old days of paper records and repeat prescriptions, slipped into the felt crisscross board on the wall."
– Rebecca Blu, Facebook 2025
"My mum used to work for Dr Eccles when I was a child at the surgery. I remember riding the polish machine like a hover board in the main waiting room. I must have been 10 at most."
– Daz Price, Facebook 2025
Heald Green Health Clinic
The 1950s and 1960s saw a surge in our population as people moved out of the city centre, and inner city areas were demolished. People sought the fresh air and cleaner living in the countryside, commuting into the city to work. Suburbia had arrived. The fields around the village were bought up from farmers and housing estates sprang up. What the locals must have thought, as their area was transformed within such a short space of time. When you think how upset we all were with Bloors building on Wilmslow Road!
The Ratepayers Association had been formed to represent the local communities of Heald Green and Long Lane in 1927 and could foresee the problems lying ahead for a growing population. The need for more schools, a library, a clinic, a community centre were their top priorities. However, all villages around us were also expanding and council money was not infinite. There were also local objections........
The triangle area of land on Finney Lane adjacent to Queensway was earmarked for a clinic, library and community centre. All three would have been a tight squeeze and local residents overlooking the site were not happy. The name “battleground corner” was bandied about by the local press.
Fig. 5 Library Battleground Corner
Manchester Evening News 18/08/1960
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During WW11 this piece of land had housed a mobile anti aircraft (ack ack) gun and carrier. It was used when the searchlights at Broadway lit the sky up searching for aircraft, although ours did not bring any planes down. So that is something to think about next time you walk by!
Plans were amended with the village hall taken out of this proposal and in February 1963, one of the coldest winters ever, it was proclaimed that building work would start soon, once negotiations were complete and the price was right. However, it was to be a maternity and child welfare clinic. Mothers would enter through a heated enclosed pram store to a spacious waiting hall where there would be a reception and records office and a welfare foods counter. At the other end would be a physiotherapy room.
The doctor’s suite and a consulting room would have the latest equipment for medical, opthalmic and aural consultants. There would be a weighing room with cubicles, a clinette and an office for health visitors and midwives.
The dentist’s suite would be equiped with the latest compressed air and electric drills and would include a dark room and laboratory, waiting room and recovery room. The recovery room could be exited without going back through the waiting room so that “little Willie if distressed after treatment can be spirited away without running the gauntlet of a sea of faces in the waiting room!!”
The clinic would take about nine months to complete and there was hope that the library next door would be built within the same timescales so that the whole development could be finished off together and landscaped.
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4
Fig. 6 Contact February 1963 Front Cover
Artist’s impression of the buildings
© Ratepayers Association
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6
By June 1963, a start had been made, with the hope of it being finished by the end of the year or by January 1964.
The contractors certainly cracked on with the job! They handed over the building to Cheshire County Council on 16th December 1963, who then installed furniture and equipment. The clinic was open to the public on 16th January 1964.
The library, although built, took far longer and had a quiet opening on 30th December 1964.
Prior to this building, the child welfare clinic was held in the Catholic Church Hall on Finney Lane. You could also take your baby to be weighed at Heald Green Methodist Church on Brown Lane or Roberts chemist on Finney Lane near Neal Avenue. Indeed, baby clinics continued at churches.
7
"I remember Roberts the chemist, as it used to have scales in the window for mothers to take their babies to be weighed there."
– Bob Downs, In conversation 2021
"My babies were both weighed at the baby clinic at the Methodist church on Brown Lane in 1973."
– Marlene Lane, Facebook 2025
7
Further development of the clinic would depend on the demand, need and availability of staff. As the number of children had been steadily rising to an average of 80 at the church hall, there was no doubt for the need of ante natal preparation classes, eye clinics, hearing tests and midwives’ clinics. Children could be vaccinated for free at their own GP or at the child welfare clinic. The Ministry for Health recommended them for Diphtheria, Whooping Cough and tetanus, poliomyelitis, smallpox (still in the 1960s) and a diphtheria and tetanus school booster.
The development of services at the clinic would be slow and gradual but it was stated that the library and clinic would provide community services for the district to be proud of.
Fig. 7 Library and Clinic c.1965
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In December 1964 a doctor’s group practice was announced. Nine doctors with practices in Cheadle, Gatley and Heald Green would combine to form a Cheadle Group Practice from January 1st 1965. This would pool resources and liaise with health visitors and midwives enabling a secretarial service to introduce an appointment system. There would be two centres in Heald Green, one at the Wilmslow Road surgery and one possibly at the new clinic. These would be made available by early Summer 1965.
By the summer of 1969 plans were being arranged to enlarge the clinic to benefit the whole community. Dr Shiers was also honoured by being made a Fellow of the British Medical Association.
In September 1970 alterations began. The carpark was to be altered followed by the front of the building. Improvements would also take place inside.
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The carpark was for the clinic and the library and was usually full. You may remember the little brick wall around it.
Fig. 8 Doctor's Surgery March 2007
© H Morgan
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This is how the new extension looked until the building was demolished in 2007.
Fig. 9 Doctor's Surgery March 2007
© H Morgan
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Doctors in the 1970s and 1980s
The doctors there in 1970 were Doctors Archer, Chapman, Hewetson, Newton and Shiers. In 1970 the health visitors were Mrs Tomkins and Mrs Vickerey.
By 1973 Doctors Archer and Hewetson (he passed away in 1975) had left and Dr Jones arrived.
By 1980 Doctors Chapman, Shiers and Jones were still there and Dr Newton had gone. Dr Amaechi had arrived in the mid-1970s.
In August 1987 Dr Shiers retired and Doctors Dean and Jones ran the practice.
Lots of residents remember these doctors and the building and via our heritage Facebook group wanted to share their memories of them.
"I went to both Dr Eccles first and then Dr Shiers home surgeries and then Dr Shiers moved to the Health Centre and we went there, but unsure of the dates. He also did afternoon visits- visiting me when I had the measles."
– Bob Breckwoldt, Facebook 2025
"The doctors and baby clinic were at the same place as the library. The clinic was great. Baby weighed every week and you could buy baby milk and get lots of advice. All the midwives/health visitors were based there. They came every day for two weeks when you came home from hospital. They weighed baby, checked you. It was a great feeling for new mums."
– Donna Harcourt, Facebook 2025
"I remember going through the doors and waiting at the glass sliding door at reception, you gave your name and they went looking for your brown file with lots of papers folded up inside. They then took it to the doctor’s room and you waited to be called. The waiting room was tiny and if there weren’t any seats you could sit in the corridor! Dr Amaechi very kindly added to my notes (which is still there on the NHS app) “pain in the neck”. I was only 1. I don’t think she meant I had neck pain either!"
– Sal Jackson, Facebook 2025
"The chairs you waited on were plastic and really uncomfortable, waiting for that small speaker to go “donk”, as the doctor adjusted the microphone. “R Groom to Room 3 please” to face impending doom with Dr Wright or Dr Amaechi. Happy days indeed!"
– Richard Groom, Facebook 2021
"I remember the “donk” like it was yesterday! The smell too! Clinical doctor smell! The plastic slats on the window to talk to the receptionist. I remember Dr Moriarty and Dr Jones so well too. Then of course the legend a bit later- Dr Dean"
– Jennifer Louise, Facebook 2021
"I’d forgotten there was a carpark on the nearside of the old surgery building. I remember vividly as a child sitting in the waiting room to see maybe Dr Jones or Moriarty and the sounds coming from the other side of the false wall that split the room in 2 (but was never open). I always wished I was in, what I now presume was the playgroup or cheche on the other side of that wall, rather than sitting for what seemed like hours to face my fate with the doctors! That and the seemingly millions of patient files in the secretary’s office, not quite being able to work out how on earth they found the right one for me. Whenever a childhood illness struck, I was forced to take a deep breath for whatever disgusting medicine the GP would no doubt force upon me for a week or two. Happy days eh!"
– Dave Billy Bobs, Facebook 2021
"They were our doctors. Dr Chapman was a big, tall man. He just walked in if he did a house visit. I remember him coming out to my niece. Our dog had just had pups. He tripped over one and skidded right across the kitchen. He stayed composed but it was hard to keep a straight face."
– Donna Harcourt, Facebook 2025
"I remember Dr Chapman in the 60s. He was so tall, or maybe it was because I was a little girl. Also, Dr Amaechi in the 70s and a Dr Jones. I seem to remember that ladies liked him, he must have been handsome."
– Carole Barlow, Facebook 2025
“Egryn Meirion Jones was born in Caerwys, Flintshire, North Wales. After qualifying, he worked as a house physician and surgeon, then in paediatrics at Cardiff Royal Infirmary. From 1971 to 1972 he was the resident medical officer at Manchester Royal Infirmary, then he went into general practice. I remember him at Heald Green Health Centre from 1980 when I moved to the area. He was always so encouraging and brilliant with my daughters, born in 1982 and 1984. Dr Moriarty/Miller became my named GP after he retired- another outstanding GP.”
“Dr Jones was lovely! A very softly spoken Welsh man, a true gentleman!”
– Binnie Thompson Facebook 2025 and
quote from Dr Jones' obituary in the British Medical Journal
Fig. 10 Dr Jones
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"Wonderful doctor and true gentleman- never left the building without thanking the staff for their support and work that day."
– John Tracey, Facebook 2025
"Dr Jones was our doctor for many years and used to come to the house."
– Sally Percival, Facebook 2025
"Dr Shires was my doctor in the 1970s and I remember my dad was with Dr Chapman (who my dad liked because he was sympathetic about my dad’s bad back having supposedly suffered from a bad back himself!)"
– Gillian Goodwin, Facebook 2025
"Dr Chapman, back in the day of home visits."
– Ian Matthews, Facebook 2025
"Dr Chapman was our family doctor-for younger folk- we had family doctors you got to know well- he almost diagnosed you as you walked through the door! Such a lovely gentleman- and house calls/ blimey a blast from the past!"
– Jacquie Grace, Facebook 2025
"I remember Dr Chapman visiting me when I was ill with measles when I was 5. He came daily until my fever subsided."
– Kath Kroon, Facebook 2025
"“I remember Dr Jones, Dr Chapman and Dr Amaechi from my childhood in the 70s. I only remember going to the surgery near the library though."
– Kathy Simpson, Facebook 2025
"Those were the days when the phone was answered and you could book appointments."
– Marion Mills, Facebook 2025
"Barbara Mason, my mum, worked on reception there for many years. Dr Chapman and Dr Jones were the doctors at the time."
– Julie Holt, Facebook 2025
"That was about 1978 to 88. She is my auntie Barbara and I remember Mrs Tracy worked there too. She still lives on Queensway/Thornton Road."
– Daz Price, Facebook 2025
Let us not forget that the school dentist was also here ...
"The school dentist used to be in the same building at the end of the corridor."
– Sharon Lesley, Facebook 2025
"I remember the dentist that was based there. Sadly, I wish I didn’t. The horrible noises coming out of the room while you were waiting to go in, HORROR"
– David Andrew Barratt, Facebook 2025
"I was terrified of Miss Andrews the dentist. The black and white tiled corridor, leading to the dentist waiting room, seemed to go on forever."
– Dawn Barratt, Facebook 2025
"Don’t forget those frightening lady dentists. They were def trigger happy with fillings."
– Diane Mills, Facebook 2025
Midwives were also remembered fondly.
"I remember a midwife from the Health Centre who was around in the 80s, Sister Jepson. Her husband ran the music shop in the village where I bought my piano! She was delightful. The next midwife was Teresa McNair, a lovely Scottish lady who was very gentle. She was around in the 90s when my son was born."
– Binnie Thompson, Facebook 2025
"I remember Teresa McNair, she was my midwife with my 2 youngest children in 1978 and 1979, she was lovely like you say."
– Patricia Morris, Facebook 2025
In August 1987, Dr Shiers retired leaving Drs Jones and Dean. The Contact Magazine for Autumn 1987 stated that he was one of Heald Green’s best known people. He had been born in July 1922. He graduated from Manchester University in 1945 and had been a GP since 1948. He was the senior partner at the Health Centre with Dr EM Jones and DR KM Dean. He was active within the British Medical Council and St John Ambulance. He retired to Leek in Staffordshire.
Dr Amaechi sadly passed away in 1994.
"My favourite doctor after all these years was Dr Amaechi, she was a brilliant doctor."
– Lynda Jackson, Facebook 2025
"Dr Amaechi was mum of John Amaechi OBE, basketball player!"
– Judith Nixon, Facebook 2025
"Yes I know I used to get her cases sorted at the airport when she was going to America to see him."
– Lynda Jackson, Facebook 2025
"Dr Amaechi was a law unto herself. She told me to go home and pull myself together when I was going through some anxiety stuff!"
– Catherine Carden, Facebook 2025
"I remember Dr Amaechi and some house calls in the early 1980s."
– Jennifer Davies, Facebook 2025
"Dr Hewetson was my first doctor in the 1960s. I remember Dr Amaechi well, she was a force to be reckoned with but very good."
– Adrienne Booler, Facebook 2025
"Dr Amaechi was a fantastic doctor, she was mine in the 80s."
– Ian Sykes, Facebook 2025
"I was with Dr Amaechi from the mid 70s."
– Sharon Lesley, Facebook 2025
"I was with Dr Amaechi. Her son John became a famous NBA player in America. He got an OBE"
– Stephen Groom, Facebook 2025
Doctors in the 1990s
By 1992, Doctor Moriarty (later Dr Miller) had joined the practice of Drs Jones and Dean. Sandra Senior was the health visitor in 1992.
"I remember Dr Moriarty coming to our home when I was 12 and diagnosing my appendicitis (ruptured) and organising an ambulance."
– Sally Percival, Facebook 2025
"Sadly, Dr Tessa Miller passed away in 2012."
– Patricia Morris, Facebook 2025
"I remember Dr Moriarty. She was such a lovely lady. She divorced and became Dr Miller. Her husband was a doctor in Cheadle Hulme. I remember her leaving and telling me they were moving to Plymouth and were going to volunteer on the “Mercy Ships”. Sadly, I heard that she died a few years later."
– Gail Rose-Allen, Facebook 2025
In 1996 Dr Jones retired.
Fig. 11 Dr Jones retirement
Stockport Times 19.9.1996
Click Image to View
By 1997, the practice was doctors Dean, Miller and Rowan. The surgery was now bursting at the seams with the number of patients. An application was put to the council to split the surgery and use an empty house on Neal Avenue, behind the Natwest, as a new premises. Residents were not happy at all. They were already dealing with poor parking due to its proximity to the bank and local shops. You can only imagine what it would be like today!
In 1999 the doctors applied for planning permission to redevelop their site. The building was now far too small and the population of the village was continuing to grow as well as ageing. The current foundations could not load bear another storey, meaning that the whole building needed to be demolished and rebuilt. The logistics of such a project would be massive, as continuous care would still be needed whilst the building work took place. There were many decisions to be made going forward.
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The new century
By 2001 there were lots of doctors registered on the premises, split between two practices. Doctors Dean, Miller, Owen and Rahman on one side and Doctors Wright, Leon and Von Fraunhofer on the other.
"This was my doctors. We had the best doctors then. Dr Fraunhofer, Dr Leon and Dr Wright."
– Emma Louise Windsor, Facebook 2025
"Dr Chapman as a child and then Dr Dean who was ok. I thought he was great as he was a family friend that lived top of Drayton Drive."
– Daz Price, Facebook 2025
"Ah Dr Emma Leon. Had a bit of a crush on her."
– Martyn Griffiths, Facebook 2025
"I loved Dr Dean."
– Rachel Davison, Facebook 2025
"Dr Von Fraunhofer, they’ve had some great doctors at that surgery."
– Dave Owen Litster, Facebook 2025
"Dr Leon was such a great doctor. One day a knock at the door, early morning, and Dr Fraunhofer was there saying did you call us out?.......I hadn’t and told him, but as he was walking away, I did shout after him “have you got anything for a hangover?” he didn’t find it funny at all!"
– Catherine Carden, Facebook 2025
In 2002 Diane Heinekey began working there as a receptionist. A welcoming face that became known to many. She would be there for 21 years before retiring in 2023.
%20Diane%20Heinekey%202025.jpg)
Fig. 12 Diane Heinekey 2025
© Diane Heinekey
Click Image to View
By 2004 plans were still being tweaked. At one point the library reconstruction was also put forward but got no further due to financial reasons. There was now pressure being put on the Primary Care Trust to produce a finalised plan as soon as possible.
In the autumn of 2004, the Ratepayers contact magazine led with a front page spread to bring the village up to date with all the long drawn out planning and procedures that had been taking place. The group practice had been ready to start with the new build in 2001. Unfortunately, this coincided with a reorganisation of the NHS that invented an organisation known as the Stockport Primary Care Trust (PCT). This newly formed PCT stopped the doctors’ project. After a couple of years delay, the idea of knocking down the library at the same time was suggested and discussed at the Town Hall. It was decided that council money could not be spent on a new library, which was still perfectly good, but they were happy to cooperate with the new build but “cost neutral” to the council. The PCT were not willing to proceed.
In December 2003 and August 2004, the PCT put plans to the council for approval. However, their architects did not follow correct procedures to formulate plans together, so that a scheme could be agreed on together. Councillor Peter Burns discussed the situation with both the Chief Executive of Stockport Council and Chief Executive of the PCT. It was hoped an acceptable amended plan would go before the Council’s Cheadle Area Committee in November.
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By Winter 2004 the amended plan was approved. The cost was not to be met by the PCT but by a developer who would lease it back to the trust. The PCT also wanted the final design to be produced by the developer. The application lodged so far, therefore, was just for siting and means of access. The planning permission granted was for the building to be located in the large car park and included about a third of the space already occupied by the existing building. The PCT did not want to transfer facilities to a temporary clinic but carry on using the existing site throughout the build. This was concerning. How was everything going to fit when the carpark became a building site??
There are no Contact Magazines for 2005 but by 2006 plans seem to have been tweaked and moving forward at last. Modular buildings for the temporary clinic were being made and it was hoped by November that work would start on the Outwood Road temporary site (Village Hall carpark). Once finished, facilities would be moved from Queensway to there. Not all would fit and so some services were going to the Methodist Church on Brown Lane or to Gatley. Work would then start on Queensway for a construction period of 43 weeks followed by 6 weeks of commissioning. This meant the reopening of the new centre would be in December 2007.
However, demolition of the old building did not take place until summer 2007.
Figs. 13 and 14 Demolition of Health Centre 2007
© Ratepayers Association
Click Image to View
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There must have been more spanners in the works, as it is not until Spring 2008 that the latest best estimate for the opening of the new Health Centre would be early December of that year.
By winter 2008 the building was complete with computer systems, telephone systems and furnishings to be completed by Christmas. The move from the temporary clinic to the new build was scheduled for Mid-January 2009. The car parking area was known to not be sufficient but that was the compromise to keep the building in its central location or do without.
There were some problems with the new build by Spring 2009. No date had yet been set for opening. The heating system was not working to the required standard and had been worked on since November. The reception area had been designed and built for just one practice, rather than the two that were to go in there!! Modifications flagged up the previous September were yet to be implemented.
At long last on Saturday August 8th 2009, John Amaechi the famous son of Dr Amaechi, opened the centre.
An ongoing problem since at least 1997 at long last resolved.
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Fig. 15 John Amaechi OBE Contact magazine 2009
© Ratepayers Association
Click Image to View
Services and resources moved back from the temporary clinic, church halls and Gatley practices. Two surgeries reopened with Dr Dean, Dr Morris, Dr Wright, Dr Owen, Dr Al Khaffar and Dr Miller. A baby clinic was upstairs.
"Dr Wright was THE BEST, shattered when he left."
– Adrienne Booler, Facebook 2025
Dr Miller sadly died in 2012.
Dr Dean retired before COVID, Dr Al-Khaffar retired in 2019, Dr Owen in 2022 and Dr Morris in 2024.
"Dr Moriarty (Miller) was a fantastic doctor, tough but fair, sadly no longer with us."
– Janet Negus, Facebook 2021
"I was very sad to hear a while ago that she was taken far too young. She was a credit to her profession and her family. The residents of Heald Green were lucky to have her as our GP for the time we did. A lovely, lovely woman."
– Dave Billy Bobs, Facebook 2021
To bring you right up to date there are two websites for the two practices that are working out of the centre.
https://www.healdgreenhealthcentre.nhs.uk/team/ For Dr Outar, Dr Slade, Dr De Souza, Dr Baishnab, Dr Hyde and Dr Saleh.
https://www.finneylanesurgery.nhs.uk/team/ For Dr Griffiths, Dr Evans, Dr Bradley, Dr Shimwell, Dr Hutchinson, Dr Barnfield and Dr Navani.
Fig. 16 Health Centre entrance 6.3.2025
© H Morgan
Click Image to View
Fig. 17 Health Centre along Finney Lane 6.3.2025
© H Morgan
Click Image to View
​Many thanks to all the residents who have helped me piece together a timeline of events and who was where!
Bibliography​
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Youtube.com The NHS:A difficult beginning, 2008 BBC Documentary
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Stockport County Express 6.5.1965
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The Editor, September 1963, Heald Green Jottings, Contact Magazine, 1(4), pp.17
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Heinkey, J. 1996, Heald Green In Wartime. pp. 77
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The Editor, February 1963, The clinic at last, Contact Magazine, 1(2), pp. 21 and 22
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The Editor, June 1963, Editorial, Contact Magazine, 1(3), pp. 2
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The Editor, March 1964, Clinic Services, Contact Magazine, 2(1), pp.5
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The Editor, December 1964, Doctor’s Group Practice, Contact Magazine, 2(4), pp.8
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The Editor, Summer 1969, Heald Green and Long Lane jottings, Contact Magazine, 24 (02), pp. 10
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The Editor, Autumn 1970, Heald Green and Long Lane Jottings, Contact Magazine, 29 (04), pp. 7
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Stockport Express Advertiser 20.8.1997
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The Editor, Winter 1999, Jottings, Contact Magazine,134, pp.3
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The Editor, Spring 2004, Chairman’s report (January-December 2003). Contact Magazine, 147, pp.4
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The Editor, Autumn 2004, Heald Green Health Centre, Contact Magazine, 148, pp. Front page and 6
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The Editor, Winter 2004, Health Centre, Contact Magazine, 149, pp.6
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The Editor, Autumn 2006, Health Centre, Contact Magazine, 155, pp.4
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The Editor, Spring 2008, The New Health Centre, Contact Magazine, 160, pp.6
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The Editor, Winter 2008, Health Centre, Contact Magazine, 162, pp.6
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The Editor, Spring 2009, Heald Green Health Centre, Contact Magazine,163, pp.6
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Related Links
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Heald Green Health Centre
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Finney Lane Surgery
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Wikipedia - John_Amaechi
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A Long History – Heald Green Ratepayers
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