Funding boost for 16 Somerset GP surgeries

Highbridge Medical Centre is one of the Somerset surgeries set to expand

Sixteen doctors' surgeries in Somerset will be able to expand and provide more appointments following new government funding.

The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) says more than £102m will be shared by around 1,000 practices across the UK.

The NHS Somerset integrated care board (ICB) has secured funding to expand 16 of the surgeries, with more details about the timing of individual projects expected to be made public in the coming weeks.

Each of the surgeries are expected to begin delivering their extensions through the current financial year, with the first beginning in the summer.

The surgeries will be provided with capital funding to build new consultation and treatment rooms, or substantially remodel their existing sites to make better use of space.

The funding does not cover the day-to-day running costs, such as the salaries of hiring more doctors or practice nurses, with these being met through the budgets of individual surgeries.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP said this represented the biggest investment in GP facilities in five years.

Dr Amanda Doyle, national director for primary care and community services, said: "This will help to create additional space and extend the capacity of current premises as we improve access further."

Langport Surgery secured planning permission from Somerset Council for its expansion in 2024

The NHS in Somerset said more details on timing and proposals will be announced in the next few weeks.

The 16 Somerset GP practices which will benefit from this funding include:

• Axbridge & Wedmore Medical Practice

• Beckington Family Practice

• Church Street Surgery in Martock

• Church View Medical Centre in Broadway

• Crewkerne Health Centre

• East Quay Medical Centre in Bridgwater

• Edington Surgery

• French Weir Health Centre in Taunton

• Glastonbury Surgery

• Highbridge Medical Centre

• Langport Surgery

• Lister House Surgery in Wiveliscombe

• Quantock Vale Surgery in Bishop's Lydeard

• Vine Surgery in Street

• Warwick House Surgery in Taunton

• Wincanton Health Centre