News / Politics
No commitment to opening new GP surgery in south Bristol
There is no commitment to opening a new GP surgery in south Bristol despite thousands of new homes being built, according to the mayor.
Marvin Rees said that building more housing would actually “free up NHS resources”, even with thousands of extra patients needing help.
More than 3,000 new homes are planned for the BS3 area with a gigantic boost in population. But investment in extra health services is not keeping up with the rising demand, as the NHS is short of cash to invest in opening a new GP surgery.
is needed now More than ever
Many patients south of the river already struggle to book a doctor’s appointment, with opposition councillors warning health services are already “very stretched”.
Rees, who worked as a manager in the NHS before he was elected mayor, was asked about commitment to a new surgery during a meeting of the member forum of councillors.
Liberal Democrat councillor Tim Kent, representing Hengrove and Whitchurch Park, said: “GP services are very stretched across south Bristol as it is, with a substantial amount of extra housing being delivered now.
“Is there a firm commitment from the Integrated Care Board to deliver a new GP practice in south Bristol with a clear timetable?”
The Integrated Care Board is a relatively new body, which brings together local NHS bosses with councils across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. The care board is responsible for the day-to-day running of the NHS, and arranging the provision of services.
Rees answered: “No, there’s not a firm commitment yet. The full potential promise of that integration is to make sure that we get alignment and more influence over health and that they get more influence over us. So it’s always a negotiation. But obviously it’s an NHS decision and NHS resources with the care board.
“It’s important to recognise that housing is a health intervention. So when we talk about putting houses in and there’s not enough health facilities, actually a quality home, in a balanced community that’s affordable and warm, actually takes pressure off the National Health Service.
“The number of cases that go into the NHS, both for physical ill health and mental ill health – because they are housing related – causes an unprecedented burden.
“So we do have an opportunity here, by delivering for housing, to deliver a virtuous circle that will free up more NHS resources to proactively invest in the communities coming through.”
One potential site for a new GP practice is at Redcatch Quarter, which is due to replace the Broadwalk Shopping Centre in Knowle.
Developers have planning permission to build 800 new homes there, as well as a new library, cinema, cafe and restaurant.
One missed opportunity is the Whitehouse Street regeneration project. This will see 2,000 new homes built in Bedminster but the council’s recently published framework for how the project should be developed did not include plans for a new GP practice, but simply promised to “inform the care board of planned growth” in population.
Main photo: Stride Treglown
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