Dr Neighbour

In 1939 Dr Philip Neighbour and his wife Sybil arrived in Amesbury where he established
himself as a local family GP. He remained in practice at 1 Countess Road until the 1970’s,
witnessing and working through the introduction of the NHS in 1947.

In 1982 (after his death) his house was sold. The new owner opened the door of the stables
to find a “mothballed 1960s GPs surgery”. They contacted Salisbury Museum who were
delighted to take possession and they moved the entire contents of the surgery to the
museum and reconstructed it within one of the galleries (including effigies of Dr Neighbour
and a patient). As part of the setting up of the exhibition a call was put out to gather
memories from the local population regarding the doctor (a number of which are reproduced
on information boards on show).

In 2024 Salisbury Museum offered “Dr Neighbour’s Surgery” to the Amesbury History Centre
and a new chapter was born.

The exhibition (which opened on May 1st , 2025) includes many of the items that were
previously shown. Alongside the items are information boards covering both details of Dr
Neighbour (and his eclectic life) and the changes to health care with the introduction of the
NHS. A poster showing nothing changes regarding NHS pressures is an eye opener.
Among the items on show is a bust of Dr Neighbour himself (thought to have been payment
in kind from one of his patients). There is a pipe, tobacco and a set of fishing hooks
representing the “country gentleman” that he was. Dr Neighbour and his wife Sybil are
buried in Amesbury Cemetery.

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With thanks to Amesbury Printing, Avon Security, Spire Glass and Salisbury Museum.