Extension joy for overcrowded GP surgery in Ludlow

Doctors at Ludlow's Portcullis Surgery announced the practice had been given the go-ahead to build an extension from NHS England in mid-October.

The plans have now been approved by Shropshire Council officers just weeks after being submitted – which will come as a relief to the surgery as it needs to finish building work by March as a condition of its funding.

Dr Dorian Yarham, at the practice, said the expanded surgery will have four new rooms, including one for an extra GP, and is long overdue as space has been stretched to bursting point at the practice with nearly 3,000 more patients than 25 years ago.

He said the practice had been struggling for space for a decade, and had used every bit of space available, including turning cupboards into consulting rooms and the attic into offices.

Hopes of a new premises on Eco Park, as part of Ludlow's ill-fated new hospital plan, were dashed last year, and plans to move to the former council offices at Stone House in Ludlow also came to nothing as the site was not deemed suitable.

Andy Boddington, Shropshire Councillor for Ludlow North and a supporter of the plans, said: "

This will be a great improvement to health services in the centre of Ludlow. It will give patients better facilities, including more privacy at reception. And the GPs will be able to expand the ranges of services they provide.

"I am a patient there myself and there are times when it is standing room only in the waiting area.

"I think this is a great scheme and the plans are a good way of improving facilities on a highly constrained site," he said.

As well as a new GP room, the extension will include a dedicated counselling room, a minor procedures room and a private office for patients to meet with the practice management team.

The waiting room will be improved with better disabled access and a separate children's area.

The Portcullis Surgery is one of two serving Ludlow, along with Station Drive Surgery.