Aspirations to build a second GP surgery in Melton Mowbray take another step forward
Last week, through the Strategic Commissioning Group, the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (ICB) formally committed to work with Melton Borough Council to explore the opportunity to develop a second GP surgery in the town.
Melton Borough Council and Alicia Kearns MP have campaigned for a second surgery for a number of years and the Council reiterated its commitment to this important local issue within its Corporate Strategy 2020-2024
The Borough of Melton has one of the largest single group GP practices in the country, Latham House Medical Practice (LHMP) which, being the only GP practice within the town of Melton Mowbray, serves 36,072 registered patients.
Through the Melton Local Plan sizeable housing growth of 6,125 new homes is planned in the borough, and this is likely to place additional strain on the current Primary Care services available. Melton Mowbray has therefore become a priority focus for the local NHS, and due to the constraints of the LHMP site and limited scope for expansion, a business case for the development of a second GP surgery in the town is now being developed.
Building on the strong local partnership with Melton Borough Council, at their recent meeting, the ICB have made a commitment to explore the options for the location of a surgery. The options will be informed by the views of local people living in Melton Mowbray that were gathered through recent engagement which discussed a second surgery.
Through its Corporate Strategy, Melton Borough Council has made a concurrent commitment to find a sustainable solution for its two ageing leisure centres and is currently developing a business case for a consolidated Health and Leisure Park. This could include new primary care provision alongside leisure facilities and wider related services, which would offer value for money through shared development costs, and greater access for patients to health and related leisure and well-being services.
Whilst full costings are still being developed and the funding mechanism are not yet in place, the ICB’s decision, informed by public opinion, will enable more effective strategic planning with details of the developing business case due to be considered by both organisations in the Spring 2023.
Cllr Joe Orson, Leader of the Council said “The formal commitment from the ICB is fantastic news for Melton and moves us one step closer to a much needed new GP surgery for our community. There is still a long way to go but we are delighted to be able to collaborate with both our partners at the ICB, and our MP, to examine how we can realistically deliver our shared aspirations.
“Raising the funding to make the investment required is not going to be easy, but we will leave no stone unturned and the commitment from the ICB allows us to strategically plan together as we move forward.”
Alicia Kearns, MP for Rutland and Melton said “When I stood for election I promised to secure a second GP practice for our town and surrounding villages. I’m please we’ve now achieved the go-ahead to build one: our fight and my arguments to the NHS have been successful. We are on the road to the healthcare residents of Melton need and deserve. There’s still a way to go, but this is the news our town has been waiting for and that Joe and I promised we’d deliver and I look forward to continuing to work with Melton Borough Council and the ICB.”
Andy Williams, Chief Executive of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board, said “Following the ICB’s decision the business case and full financial model for second GP practice in Melton Mowbray will be developed. We look forward to working with Council colleagues as we develop the options for more GP services, which we know are important to local people as a main point of contact for healthcare and integral to creating healthy communities.
“We hope both organisations will have the opportunity to review a draft business case and consider viable options in Spring 2023, in order to have further conversation with local people about what matters most to them and inform final decisions.”
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