Following on from our previous statement on premises in May, the responsibility within the local NHS for overseeing GP premises development in Shropshire has passed to a new team based over in Stoke and Staffordshire. We have had positive communications with the planning lead within that team and more recently also with Shropshire Council about our premises situation.
It has become increasingly clear that there is not, and will not be any time soon, enough funding within the NHS and Shropshire Council to support the development of a brand new GP premises in Baschurch.
As partners, we realise that we have exhausted all options regarding new premises and have to find the best solution within the funding constraints. As a result, we need to pivot to the next best solution which would be a significant extension of the current premises and building a new car park offsite on the proposed new housing development (with a small number of disabled bays on our site). Whilst this has not been our preferred option, given the lack of funding to support new premises development, we have to take a pragmatic approach.
We are only in the very early stages but financially, extending our current premises and having an off site car park is more likely to be achievable. We will continue to update you with any major developments.
Drs Guildford, Stone and Booth