Update 9.6.22
We are pleased to announce that the CCG has approved Sidmouth’s Primary Care Improvement Project. The team has worked hard to secure approval and funding for the scheme which should stand primary care in Sidmouth in a strong position for years to come.
The changes will see an extension to the Beacon Medical Centre and a new branch surgery open in Sidmouth Hospital. The current outdated Blackmore Health Centre will close but not until the new facilities are up and running.
It has been a difficult time to get this over the line with escalating borrowing and build costs.
Please be reassured there will be no disruption to services while the project evolves. Once we know timeframes we will let you know but we are hopeful work will start in the next 3-6 months maybe sooner.
The practice is working with our patient group on plans for surgery expansion. 3 working groups have been set up to provide the best results for patients.
- Survey Feedback – We have reviewed all comments made by patients with our patient group and responded to these. We have set up these groups to help communicate with patients and address common themes raised such as parking and centre of town service provision.
- Transport and Parking Group – We have updated our original plans so the Beacon site has an entrance and an exit to help traffic flow. We have significantly reduced traffic flow to the Beacon by working remotely where appropriate. Where patients still need to be seen we have more staggered appointment times so people are arriving and leaving at different times. We are working with local bus companies to improve public transport to site. We are exploring the option of a minibus to help patient get to appointments. Alternative parking locations are being reviewed.
- Centre of town service provision – Patients should not notice a significant change in centre of town services. We are looking at how services are best provided from the centre of town. Patients needing to be seen in the centre of town will still be able to get appointments from Sidmouth Hospital with their GP, a nurse or HCA.
