Cressex Health Centre has recently set out proposals to close Lynton House surgery on London Road and reorganise its services. It is proposed to move the practice to a new, smaller site within Wycombe Hospital and to also extend the number of appointments available to patients at their main surgery at Hanover House.
Cressex Health Centre has explained the reasoning behind the proposals to all patients on its list. Principally, the current surgery premises on London Road are not fit for purpose, failing to meet the standards required of GP practices today without ‘significant investment’ which does not represent the best value for money for the taxpayer.
Patients of the surgery and interested stakeholders were given the opportunity to share their views, concerns and questions with Cressex Health Centre during a public consultation which included several public meetings. I understand the meetings were attended by a small number of patients, most of whom seemed to be in general sympathy with what was being proposed. I know patients raised concerns over some aspects of the proposed changes, and the response to these from Cressex Health Centre can be found on its website.
I know local health care is important to my constituents. I am not a spokesperson for the NHS and I cannot command how local services are organised. I am, however, fully supportive of plans which seek to maximise Wycombe Hospital. Patients must have access to high quality, modern GP services and it is important that our hospital thrives. Cressex Health Centre have already highlighted a move to the Hospital site could offer improved services to those currently available at Lynton House.
I have long said we need a strategic approach to primary care in the area and I support delivery of the ideas in the NHS Five Year Forward View, including Multispeciality Community Providers, at the Hospital site in Wycombe. We have been saddled with an expensive PFI building by Labour. We must now make the greatest use of this facility and ensure taxpayers get maximum value from it.
