THE long-awaited expansion of a Somerset doctors’ surgery will finally begin in the coming months, health bosses have stated.

Langport Surgery was one of 14 GP surgeries which were singled out by the NHS Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) back in September 2020 as needing to either expand or relocate to cope with significant housing growth in their catchment areas.

The surgery secured planning permission from Somerset Council in August 2024 to expand its existing premises, allowing it to recruit additional staff and see more patients more quickly.

The NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board has now confirmed that the surgery is finalising the details of the expansion, meaning work could begin within a matter of months.

The practice lies in the centre of Langport, a short distance from the town’s Tesco supermarket, Huish Episcopi Primary School and the main shopping area along and around Bow Street.

It currently has a list of around 14,000 patients, with NHS England deeming it should expand its existing premises by one third to meet national standards.

Under the agreed plans, a two-storey extension will be constructed on the western wing of the existing building, at a loss of three existing car parking spaces.

The new extension will include a meeting room for staff training, a telephone consultation space and a range of consultation rooms.

A spokesman for Orme Architecture (representing the surgery) stated in May 2024: “The extension will facilitate a meeting room, meaning the practice will not need to be closed as often.

“Currently the practice needs to utilise the waiting room for larger team meetings and training. This meeting room will facilitate opportunity for quality training and meeting space, ensuring the team are providing the best possible service.

“Space will be provided to allow increased clinical services to include a pharmacist, mental health and health coaching appointments, increased GP and nursing capacity to meet the demand of the growing population.

“It will lead to increased productivity for GPs who currently have to work from home to free up clinical room space, as often the connection to the clinical system is poor when accessing remotely, meaning less work can be done.

“The plan is to include a room which can be used at the practice for telephone consultations.”

Funding to build new GP surgeries or to extend existing ones comes primarily from housing developments, secured through either a Section 106 agreement or payments made under the community infrastructure levy (CIL).

Langport’s surrounding parish of Huish Episcopi has seen significant housing growth in the last decade – including the Parrett Gardens estate of 80 homes recently delivered by Persimmon Homes South West on the A372 Wincanton Road, and The Orchard estate of 36 properties recently completed by Allison Homes.

Somerset Council’s planning committee south approved revised plans in late-May 2024 for a further 100 homes on the B3153 Somerton Road – which includes a contribution of more than £50,000 towards extending Langport Surgery.

The ICB declined to put a date on the delivery of the extension, but said that discussions between its officers and the surgery were at a very advanced stage.

A spokesman said: “Langport Surgery is in the process of finalising the design and conducting a detailed cost analysis for the expansion of its premises.

“Once completed, this will be submitted for financial agreement with NHS Somerset.

“This expansion marks a significant step forward in ensuring that Langport Surgery can continue to meet the growing healthcare needs of our community, providing improved access and high-quality care for our patients.

“Langport Surgery is committed to keeping patients informed about progress and will share updates as the project advances.”

NHS Somerset has been working since September 2020 to deliver provide additional capacity at GP surgeries, often in the form of temporary buildings until more permanent solutions can be put in place.