Telford will get a new doctor’s surgery to give patients the chance to see a GP in the evenings and weekends, it was announced today.
Telford & Wrekin Primary Care Trust was named as one of just 12 places in the UK to get a new practice under the Government plans. Health Secretary Alan Johnson said the proposals were for extra practices in poorly served areas, as well as for a £105 million investment in existing GP practices.
The borough’s PCT will receive more than £1.1 million by 2010/11, as their share of a £250 million access fund announced last autumn to pay for at least 100 new GP practices in the most deprived areas and 152 GP-led health centres.
A consultation will also be launched shortly with the British Medical Association (BMA) on a proposed £105 million investment in existing GP practices to expand clinical services and improve access for patients.
Under the proposals, around £50 million will fund improved access to GP services, including through extended opening hours.
The other 11 Primary Care Trusts set to gain a new GP practice are Rotherham, Enfield, Bury, South Birmingham, Newham, Gates-head, Coventry, Bristol, North Somerset, Middlesbrough and East Lancashire.
Family doctors reluctantly agreed to accept extended opening hours in March after bitter wrangling with the Government over plans to open the average practice for around an extra three hours a week.
Mr Johnson said: “There has been some recent scaremongering about the future of GP practices.
“Today’s announcement shows we are not only committed to Britain’s excellent family doctor system, but also to expanding it, encouraging GPs to provide more services, closer to where people live, so they don’t have to make so many unnecessary trips to hospital.
“Improving access to primary care is also a key priority if we are to deliver more personalised care that meets the needs of individuals and communities, especially those in more disadvantaged or deprived areas,” Mr Johnson added.
“Evidence shows there is a direct link between low numbers of GP surgeries and poor health within a community.”
The first new practices are expected to be open to patients in less than a year’s time.
Some areas currently have only 43 GPs per 100,000 people, compared to 88 GPs per 100,000 people in areas with the best coverage. It is hoped the new services will reduce pressure on existing practices.
By Kirsty Marston
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