Health bosses say new GP surgery will still be built

HEALTH bosses are insistent that a growing Nuneaton community will still have a new GP surgery - despite now looking at a new site.

Another twist has been added in the ongoing saga surrounding a new GP surgery to serve the growing Weddington area.

NHS Warwickshire North Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) secured the funds for the facility through cash given by developers, known as section 106 money, to mitigate the number of new homes being built in the area.

Initially they were looking at a location in Church Fields but it appears now that the CCG is considering locating it on Top Farm instead.

Plans for Top Farm, which include a housing development, a new secondary school and activity hub, have yet to even be submitted.

This has prompted concerns that if this location is chosen, there will be further delay to the creation of the GP surgery.

But CCG bosses have told the Telegraph the aim is still for it to be open by 2021.

In a statement, it says: “We understand the impact of new housing developments and share a common aspiration to make sure there are enough general practice services available in the area to meet the needs of residents.

“We are working closely with the developers of the site at Weddington, the county and borough councils and our local GP Practices to ensure that we have considered all viable options, which provide the best value for our population. We must also make sure that we respond to the needs of patients now whilst we progress with a longer term solution for the area, and are able adapt to any changes in need.

“Our initial projections showed that we will need to have additional GP capacity in place towards the end of 2021 as the development at Weddington continues to be built. This date is regularly reviewed to ensure that we remain able to meet the needs of our local population, and new capacity is available at the right time.”

It says they are currently reviewing two options:

A standalone GP practice at Church Fields, where we have secured a piece of land for the provision of GP services. This site is only large enough to provide a standalone GP practice.

An integrated health and leisure facility, which will include a GP practice, at Top Farm, in collaboration with the county and borough councils.

The statement concludes: “We are assessing each option to ensure thatit can be delivered in the timeframe in which our population needs it and is financially viable.

“Based on this, we will make a decision on which is the best available option to meet patient needs in early summer 2020.”