More than a dozen doctors surgeries in Somerset, including the Luson Surgery in Fore Street, Wellington, could expand or relocate in the years ahead to provide better facilities for patients.

The Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) – which allocates health resources across the county – has conducted a review of all 82 stand-alone and branch doctors’ surgeries which currently operate in Somerset.

Among these, it has identified 14 sites which will need to either urgently expand or move to a larger location in order to cope with the number of patients for which they cater.

The CCG said it would work with the practices in question to see what was best in each case, and would bid for funding if expansions were required.

Details of the expansion were published ahead of a virtual meeting of the CCG’s commissioning committee on Thursday morning (September 17).

Julie White, the CCG’s estates capital bid manager, said in her written report: “We continually review practices based on whether they are of adequate size and/or the building is deemed fit for purpose, to enable a list of prioritised practices to support either practice schemes or capital funding applications.

“We currently have 14 practices identified as requiring support, either because they require larger premises, or because their current premises are recognised as requiring improvement.”

Where practices need to expand, or new premises constructed, the CCG will support the practice in question with a bid for capital funding to NHS England.

Ms White added: “We will be working with practices to identify and discuss options to resolve their premises issues.

“Ultimately practices have the right to decide whether they wish to develop their premises or move to a new development, although we are required to agree any such change.

“No investment will be made without clear evidence of benefit to the people of Somerset.”

Sarah Matthews-Attree, the CCG’s primary care contracts officer, said in her written report: “Improvements, including an extension, are planned for the Irnham Lodge site, and proposals have been received around contingency plans to be put in place while the work is being undertaken

“We are working with the practice to ensure that appropriate engagement is undertaken in relation to these plans, and to ensure that all considerations are considered as part of the process.

“The application will be submitted to the committee for a final decision at its December meeting.”

Local democracry reporter

Daniel Mumby