Exciting news for Langport as the GP surgery expansion is finally on the horizon, promising better services for the community.
This surgery was one of 14 identified back in September 2020 by the NHS Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group as needing to grow or move due to the rising number of residents. They got the green light from Somerset Council in August 2024 to expand, which means they can hire more staff and see patients faster.
The NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board is now wrapping up the final details, so we can expect construction to start soon. The surgery is right in the heart of Langport, close to Tesco and the local school, making it super accessible for everyone.
Currently, they serve about 14,000 patients, and NHS England says they need to expand by a third to keep up with national standards. The plan includes a two-story extension on the west side of the building, which will take away three parking spots but add a lot of value.
This new space will have a meeting room for staff training, a spot for phone consultations, and several consultation rooms. A representative from Orme Architecture mentioned that this will help the practice avoid closing for meetings, allowing for better training and service.
They’re also planning to add more clinical services, like a pharmacist and mental health appointments, to meet the needs of the growing population. This means GPs won’t have to work from home as much, which has been a hassle due to poor connections.
Funding for this expansion mainly comes from local housing developments, which have been booming in the area. The surrounding parish has seen a lot of new homes built recently, which is great for the community but also means more demand for healthcare services.
Somerset Council has approved plans for even more homes, which will contribute funds to the surgery expansion. While there’s no exact date for when the work will start, discussions are well underway, and the surgery is finalizing designs and costs.
This expansion is a big step for Langport Surgery, ensuring they can keep up with the healthcare needs of the community. They’re committed to keeping everyone updated as the project moves forward, so stay tuned for more news!
