A GP surgery has finally won a 12-year battle to move into new premises after fears NHS delays could leave thousands of patients without a doctor nearby.
GPs at the Ashley Centre Surgery, in Ashley Square, Epsom, found out last week that the Government had approved funding which will allow it to move into new, larger premises at the Old Magistrates’ Court residential development in The Parade.
Last July, the Epsom Guardian reported how the surgery - which has 9,600 registered patients - had repeatedly been informed by health watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC) that its premises are too small and do not meet disability access requirements.
FROM JULY 10, 2014: Thousands of patients may be left without GP surgery after new premises put up for sale
FROM JULY 16, 2014: Second Surrey GP surgery in Epsom in danger after "unacceptable" NHS delays
But a move to the new premises in The Parade looked to have been scuppered because the Surrey and Sussex area, the local health body which decides on applications for GPs' premises, had not considered the surgery’s bid to move.
It said it was still awaiting policy guidance on the issue from NHS England.
At the time, an NHS England spokesman said: "While the NHS budget has been protected, which is welcome, finding more money in one area will inevitably mean reductions elsewhere."
This week, Dr Andy Sharpe, a GP at the surgery, said its bid for funding had been accepted from another pot of money announced by the Government for GP buildings, paid for by bankers’ fines.
He said: "They have identified as us a priority.
"We have got the go ahead and should hopefully be able to move in nine months’ time."
Dr Sharpe said he had been battling to get funding for new premises for 12 years.
In its last CQC inspection, a report of which was published at the end of March, the surgery was rated "good", despite its shortcomings.
Dr Sharpe said: "We got a good rating which was pleasing.
"They did comment on the building’s access, but thought we were making the best of a very bad job so didn’t want to penalise us for that and they were aware of our plans to move into a new building."
FROM APRIL 21, 2015: Epsom GPs set to pilot out-of-hours access seven days a week - but no start date given
Cramped: A consultation room inside the Ashley Centre Surgery, below
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