NHS Somerset has backtracked on its claim that Wellington Medical Centre can no longer accept new patients following its merger with the town’s former Luson Surgery.

The Wellington Weekly reported earlier this month how NHS Somerset had told planning officers the medical centre could not take on the patients who would be generated by two proposed housing developments.

Head of planning engagement Malcolm Dicken said to do so would ‘put people at risk’ until the medical centre could be expanded.

Mr Dicken said the NHS would want the two developers to pay a total of nearly £140,000 to help provide new medical facilities.

Now, a spokesperson for NHS Somerset has told the Wellington Weekly the medical centre's list is still open to new patient registrations, ‘including patients from new developments’.

The spokesperson said: “Like all good practices, the centre actively manages its patient list.

“The centre has been working alongside NHS Somerset to expand its capacity and service provision, including recruiting new doctors and nurses and non-clinical staff to manage the increased workload generated from the recent significant increase in patient numbers.

“As part of this work, NHS Somerset and Wellington Medical Centre have been reviewing potential premises options to expand clinical accommodation, to make sure the centre has adequate space to run all their services, now and in the future.

“Wellington Medical Centre is currently applying for a grant to allow them to expand clinical space at the practice.

“The centre keeps up to date with regard to town planning and development and understands the need to match service provision with town expansion.”

The spokesperson refused to explain why NHS Somerset previously claimed there was no capacity for new patients.

They said it was ‘routine’ to request capital funding from developers to support GP practices managing the additional people they brought.