Surgery History

In the mid nineteenth century, Epping had the highest death rate in the whole of Essex – from cholera, typhoid and related diseases – caused by insanitary conditions. There was no sewage disposal and villages were drawing water from polluted wells.

A local doctor, called Joseph Clegg, campaigned the Home Office for health improvements in 1867. He was one of the first doctors in Epping, and therefore there has been a surgery here for more than 100 years. In 1914, a Dr. Herbert Watney took over a practice on Epping High street. He bought the premises in 1960 on his retirement, after which the practice was left in the capable hands of Dr. Cyril Lewis, Dr. Rod Longton and Dr. Rex Hayden.

Dr. Lewis retired in 1974 and was replaced by Dr. Marie Longton, who stayed with the practice until she retired in 1982. She was replaced by Dr. Diana Lowry, still with the practice. In 1991, Dr. Rod Longton also retired and was replaced by Dr. Rizwan Pradhan.

A new surgery was built in 1995, and since Dr. Hayden retired in 1998 he was replaced by Dr Salter. Dr Baxter is now the third doctor in the practice.