Overcapacity GP Practice Considers Relocation

A medical practice, currently serving almost twice its intended patient capacity, is considering a relocation to a new, purpose-built facility. Eastfield House Surgery, located on St John’s Road in Newbury, was constructed 33 years ago to accommodate 8,000 patients. However, it now serves a patient population of 15,500. A patient survey indicated that 86% of individuals support the practice’s relocation to a site situated close to Newbury College. The surgery stated it had assessed 17 potential locations, and the site south of Newbury College was considered ideal. It further noted that its existing premises were undersized when measured against NHS space utilization guidelines and are projected to face increased pressure within the coming decade. Three partners from the practice are scheduled to address West Berkshire Council’s health scrutiny committee on Tuesday. Doctors Emma Featherstone, Anne Maloney, and Mark Galliver stated that both staff and patients are contending with “significant limitations.” They elaborated, stating, “The existing practice was extended in 2012 by a further three consulting rooms and two temporary cabins were installed in the surgery car park in May 2023 for a two-year period.” They continued, “However, the practice is still significantly undersized and is limited in consultation rooms, administrative space, patient waiting area, car parking and basic facilities such as staff/meeting room and bathroom facilities.” A purpose-built facility, they contend, would facilitate the incorporation of contemporary healthcare technology, expand the number of consultation rooms, and enable the provision of extra services like mental health support, physiotherapy, and wellness programs. The GPs further added, “Although relocating would involve initial costs, a purpose-built facility offers long-term savings through improved energy efficiency, lower maintenance needs, and optimised workflows.” They concluded, “Further upgrades or extensions to our current site are not possible.” For updates, BBC Berkshire can be followed on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.