READING East MP Rob Wilson has called for a “plan of action” to battle rising pressure on Woodley’s GP surgeries.
Mr Wilson held a public meeting on Thursday night, April 10, at Beechwood Primary School, where neighbours raised concerns about how proposed new housing at Sandford Farm could cripple the area’s three practices.
More than 100 residents turned out for the meeting, which featured a panel of experts including Matthew Tait and Ginny Hope from NHS England, Katie Summers and Dr Cathy Winfield from NHS Wokingham CCG, Dr David Buckle from Woodley Centre Surgery, Helen Edwards from Parkside Family Practice and Wokingham Borough Council’s public health chief Darrell Gale.
Mr Wilson has questioned figures supplied by NHS England, which suggest only 836 patients will need to join practices from 380 new homes.
He said: “I’m really going to hold their feet to the fire on this one. This doesn’t tally with the experiences of my constituents and it’s important that we convince NHS England that there is a problem that must be resolved.”
The Loddon Vale Practice, Woodley Centre Surgery and Parkside Family Practice could all become oversubscribed if the homes are built, and many neighbours say they already struggle to arrange appointments and sometimes have to wait five to six weeks.
Mr Wilson has asked NHS England and Wokingham CCG to report back on the action being taken and provide a full report in six months.
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