News story

9 November 2000

MP BACKS SURGERY HOPES FOR CHARFIELD

Northavon MP Steve Webb has given his backing to efforts by Charfield Parish Council to improve access to GP services for local residents. Whilst conducting a recent doorstep residents’ survey, the Lib Dem MP heard back from several residents that they were concerned about the lack of health facilities in the village, and in particular the lack of a GP surgery. This was an issue which the Parish Council had also begun to take up with local GPs. The MP wrote to the Chief Executive of Avon Health, Pamela Charlwood, pointing out that Charfield had a large and rising population and that there was a strong case for a GP surgery of some sort in the village. The Chief Executive has now written back indicating that Charfield is categorised as an “intermediate” area from the point of view of GP provision. This means that the area of which Charfield is a part – known as the Severnvale Primary Care Group - is deemed to have enough doctors, but that an application might be considered by the London based “Medical Practices Committee” for an additional partner from an existing practice to be based in Charfield. Pamela Charlwood indicated that she would make an informal approach to the Severnvale group of GPs “to explore whether interest could be stimulated”.

Commenting, Steve Webb said:

“I welcome the constructive response from Avon Health to see if they can assist in moving forward the idea of a GP surgery for Charfield. GP provision in the village would be much more convenient for local residents than having to travel to Wotton or Thornbury. I hope that this is an issue which can be taken forward, not least by the new South Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust, which is due to be set up next year.”


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