Health Minister backs Bodmin GP surgery stuck on £1m funding gap

The land is there. Planning permission is there. What Bodmin‘s new GP surgery hasn’t had is the last £1m or so needed to start building it.

That could be about to change after North Cornwall MP Ben Maguire met Health Minister Karin Smyth today (Thursday 22 October) and secured her backing to help get the project moving.

Minister to press for progress

Ben, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall, asked for the meeting after raising the stalled surgery in Parliament and with the Department of Health and Social Care several times.

The Minister has now committed to using her department to help get the project over the line. She also said she will join Ben in pressing Cornwall’s Integrated Care Board (ICB) and NHS England to move things along as soon as possible.

Surgeries at 150% capacity

Ben said: “Bodmin’s existing surgeries are already running at around 150% capacity, while thousands of new homes are being built or planned in the town. I made the case to the Minister that this new surgery building is urgently needed, and I’m pleased she is very supportive of the proposals that seem to have stalled in recent months.

“I’m grateful for her commitment to join me in urgently pressing Cornwall’s ICB and NHS England to get shovels in the ground for this new surgery building. Bodmin’s residents have waited far too long already for new healthcare facilities, and I’m very glad to have the backing of residents on my campaign on this.”

He also thanked Bodmin’s Cornwall Councillors Leigh Frost, Dan Rogerson and Chris Batters for their work and support.

Councillors want the funding unlocked

Cllr Leigh Frost, who represents Bodmin St Petroc, said: “For far too long, Bodmin residents have been promised a new surgery without seeing progress on the ground. Securing the Minister’s support is a major step forward. Cornwall Council has committed the land and played its part. Now we need NHS England to give the green light so this long-awaited project can finally become a reality.”

Cllr Dan Rogerson, councillor for Bodmin St Mary’s and St Leonard, added: “With the land and planning permission having been in place for a long time, it’s vital that the funding is now unlocked so that building can start as soon as possible.”

📷Ben Maguire MP meeting with Health Minister Karin Smyth MP