Welcome to Thistlemoor Medical Centre. Our story is one of dedication, passion, and a deep commitment to our community. What started as a small, single-room practice has grown into one of the largest and most innovative medical centres in Cambridgeshire. But at our core, we remain the same: a team of caring professionals determined to provide exceptional healthcare to everyone who walks through our doors.
Where It All Began
Over 50 years ago, Thistlemoor Medical Centre began as a modest practice in a terraced house on Thistlemoor Road. It was small, but it served its purpose—offering vital healthcare to the local community.
In 1994, Dr. Nalini Modha took over the practice, marking the beginning of a new era. At the time, we had just 700 patients, but we had a big vision: to build a medical centre that truly serves the people who need it most. Alongside her husband, Dr. Jitendra Modha, Dr. Nalini Modha worked tirelessly to transform the practice from a small, traditional GP surgery into a thriving hub of healthcare excellence.
Growing with Our Community
As Peterborough grew, so did we. Our patient list expanded rapidly, and we knew we had to evolve. With no external funding, we took a leap of faith, investing everything we had into expanding the practice. We moved beyond the constraints of our original building, creating a purpose-built medical centre designed to accommodate our growing team and the increasing needs of our patients.
We are incredibly proud that Thistlemoor has remained a true family practice—both in spirit and leadership. Dr. Neil Modha, son of Nalini and Jitendra, has played a key role in shaping the centre into what it is today. His leadership has helped us embrace new healthcare innovations while ensuring that our core values remain intact: patient-first care, compassion, and community.
Putting Our Patients First
One of the things that makes Thistlemoor special is our commitment to truly understanding our patients. We know that healthcare isn’t one-size-fits-all, especially in a diverse and vibrant city like Peterborough. Our community is made up of people from all walks of life, many of whom face language barriers, cultural differences, and challenges in accessing healthcare. We saw this as an opportunity—not an obstacle.
That’s why we made a conscious decision to recruit staff from within our community. Our team speaks over a dozen languages, ensuring that no patient ever feels unheard or misunderstood. We have built a healthcare environment where people feel safe, respected, and cared for, no matter their background.
Expanding Community-Based Services
To better serve our patients, we now offer a range of community-based diagnostic services, bringing essential healthcare closer to home. Our endoscopy clinic, which includes lung scans to aid in the early detection of cancer, as well as our colonoscopy, ultrasound, and aortic aneurysm clinics, allow us to provide critical care while keeping patients out of hospital. We are committed to expanding these services further, ensuring that our community has access to high-quality diagnostics without the need for lengthy hospital visits.
Additionally, we are thrilled to be developing a state-of-the-art Rehabilitation Centre. This facility will feature a hydrotherapy pool, a community pool, land-based physiotherapy services, and short-stay apartments for those undergoing intensive rehabilitation therapy. Our goal is to create a comprehensive space where patients can recover and regain independence with the best possible support.
Innovating for a Healthier Future
Healthcare is always evolving, and we refuse to be left behind. Whether it’s using digital technology to streamline patient care, launching vaccination campaigns to protect our community, or introducing new services to meet emerging needs, we are constantly pushing forward.
We have also played a significant role in shaping the future of primary care at both a local and national level. Our practice has been instrumental in developing the role of healthcare assistants in general practice, expanding the responsibilities of nurses, and implementing medical assistant training. We continue to contribute to national healthcare advancements at every opportunity, ensuring that our team—and the wider NHS—remains at the forefront of modern medicine.
A Legacy of Dedication
We are incredibly proud that Dr. Nalini Modha’s dedication to General Practice has been recognised at the highest level. In the 2020 New Year’s Honours list, she was awarded an MBE for her services to General Practice. She credits this achievement to the outstanding support she has received from both an incredible team and a community of patients who have placed their trust in her over the years. In September 2021, she was honoured to receive her award at Windsor Castle.
Celebrating 30 Years of Care
On May 23rd, 2024, we marked a truly special milestone—our 30th anniversary. What began as a small GP surgery in a one-up, two-down home with just 700 patients has flourished into one of Peterborough’s leading healthcare providers, serving over 31,000 people. To celebrate, we invited our dedicated staff, patients, and community partners to reflect on the journey, share stories, and unite in our vision for the next 30 years and beyond.
Looking Ahead
Today, we care for over 31,000 patients, making us one of the largest practices in the region. And we’re not stopping here. With plans to expand our facilities and services, including NHS dental care and optometry, we’re committed to shaping the future of healthcare in Peterborough.
Despite our growth, our mission remains the same: to provide compassionate, patient-centred care to the people who trust us with their health. Thistlemoor Medical Centre isn’t just a place where people come for treatment—it’s a place where they feel valued, supported, and truly cared for.
Thank you for being part of our story. We look forward to continuing this journey together, providing the highest standard of healthcare for generations to come.
