Members of a medical centre’s supporters group have discussed options to expand the community services it offers.

Hartismere Health and Care, in Eye, was reopened following a £1.5million redevelopment last year, and offers community and specialist services.

The Hartismere League of Friends group has met to explore options to extend the opportunities for patients using the hospital.

Dr Dan Poulter, MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, who worked to secure money for the 2012 development, attended the meeting.

He said: “After a long fight to save the hospital by myself, the League of Friends and others, it was very pleasing to hear how the local clinical commissioning group intend to continue to use this great local resource.

“I am pleased that the hospital has a secure future in providing services to local people in Eye and the surrounding area.

“It is a testament to the leagues’ work and the popularity and importance of the hospital to rural communities that so many people came to the meeting to engage with the local health professionals and myself.”

The centre, which was previously known as Hartismere Hospital, reopened in June last year with a new-look reception and glass atrium areas.

Services available at the centre currently include podiatry, mental health, diagnostics, rehabilitation and retinal screening.

A spokesman for the NHS Ipswich and East Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group said: “We recognise the important contribution Hartismere Health and Care makes to the health and wellbeing of the local community.

“The £1.5m redevelopment means local people can now benefit from a wide range of locally delivered health services.

“While we currently have no specific plans to increase the number of services on offer, we have recently had an informative discussion with the League of Friends on future service provision, and we value their input and commitment to the future of the facility.

“We will continue to work with patients and our partners to make sure Hartismere Health and Care continues to be a valuable local health care facility.”

The project to rejuvenate the care centre, in Castleton Way, began in March 2011 and was completed in June last year.