Councillor Pete Ruheman attended and reported on the Board meeting of Berkshire West PCT last week which discussed the outcome of their Underwood Road consultation.
Below is a copy of his e-mail
The Board decided unanimously to confirm the decision not to recommission a new surgery at Underwood Road as part of the Bellway development, which goes to a special meeting of Western Area Planning Committee on 15 December.
While a number of people will be disappointed by that decision, the combination of a small number of patients, very restricted opening hours and high rental costs I think made the decision, which was supported both by GP commissioners and by West Berkshire Council's Health Scrutiny Committee, inevitable.
Circuit Lane's expansion plans were mentioned during the discussion, and as the Chair had helpfully arranged for public questions to follow this item I was very pleased to be be able to secure a public recognition from Helen Mackenzie, PCT Chief Executive, of the severe space constraints at Circuit Lane and of the fact that expansion had been not been possible there for the last three years because of the uncertainties over Underwood Road, and a public commitment by her that the PCT would now support the expansion of Circuit Lane, as requested by the 1600 people who signed the petition we organised jointly with the practice, and that the PCT's estates department would be working with the practice to try and help make it happen.
So I hope we can look forward to a planning application coming forward in the next few months!
Councillor Pete Ruhemann
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