New primary healthcare facility could see GPs merge

Date: 29/12/2011

New 0300 numbers may be needed if plans to open a state-of-the-art medical facility are given the green light.

The Weston Mercury reports how a proposal to merge Longton Grove and New Court doctors' surgeries into one site at Locking Road has been handed to the local council.

Currently, the two practices share 16,373 patients and claim to have not enough space to employ more staff to cope with the large number of people.

The new site would operate as both a primary healthcare unit featuring modern equipment, but would also include a retail pharmacy and an ambulance drop-off point.

North Somerset Council is set to consider the plans in the new year, with concerns already having been raised about potential access problems for patients due to the location being further out of town.

Elsewhere, the Ludlow and Tenbury Wells Advertiser recently reported local residents have criticised plans to merge two medical centres and the new Eco Park.