LOCAL GPs are 'delighted' that plans for a new £5.5million GP surgery in Tetbury have been given the green light by Cotswold District Council.

Construction work for the new surgery on land west of Worwell Farm is anticipated to start within the next 18 months.

The existing practice in Tetbury owned by the Phoenix Health Group has outgrown its surgery building on Long Street so its GPs are looking forward to moving into a more spacious facility.

The new premises will be able to provide services to more than 10,000 patients and will allow the practice team to expand and improve the range of services they provide.

There will be additional consulting and treatment rooms in the new surgery which will enable more doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals to receive training and educational updates.

Developer Stonewood Partnerships Limited is working on the project and intends to build modern reception and waiting areas that are more secure, areas for privacy and want to make sure it is easily accessible for people with disabilities or mobility issues. 

The practice and developer will work with specialist healthcare consultants Osmond Tricks on the design and management of the development.

Dr Peter Hill, GP at Phoenix Health Group, said: “We are delighted that planning permission for our new surgery at Worwell Farm has been granted.

"We received funding approval from NHS Gloucestershire in April this year and have been working with our development partner Stonewood Partnerships Limited since then to put forward a strong case for planning approval.

"We would like to offer our assurances that we will work hard to create and construct an attractive and modern ‘green’ building that is accessible to our patients and that creates positive impacts on the surrounding natural environment.”

Helen Goodey, director of primary care and place at NHS Gloucestershire, said: “NHS Gloucestershire is committed to ensuring that patients in Tetbury have access to the primary care services they need for the longer-term and plans for a new GP surgery in the town have been a key priority in the NHS Gloucestershire Primary Care Infrastructure Plan since 2016.

"We have been working closely with Phoenix Health Group over the years to understand their specific proposals and endorsed the proposals back in April this year. 

"We know it has been particularly challenging to identify suitable and affordable sites, so we are really pleased that approval to build at Worwell Farm has been granted.”