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Plans to replace the current Blackmore Health Centre

  • by JW

… which is ‘unfit for purpose and not well suited for modern healthcare facilities’.

“NHS Property Services, who own Sidmouth Hospital and Blackmore Health Centre, would pay for any room alterations needed on their site.”

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There is a long history of the Blackmore Surgery wanting to improve its facilities.

Back in 2013, there was talk again of the Library and Health Centre working together on the shared building – but this wasn’t to happen:

Futures Forum: Sidmouth Library: revamp £600k or £100k

And again in 2016, there was further tension over the state of the Surgery – all within the context of the threat to the future of the Hospital:

Futures Forum: Keeping control of local health services >>> “What health and social care issues do you feel need to be addressed?”

Futures Forum: The future of Sidmouth’s Blackmore Health Centre >>> campaign launched: protest Monday 19th September

Futures Forum: The future of Sidmouth’s Blackmore Health Centre >>> Save Our Surgery >>> demonstration of support >>> 11.15am Monday 19th September

Futures Forum: The future of Sidmouth’s Blackmore Health Centre >>> doctors urge the public to support their bid to buy the surgery ahead of upcoming talks

In the meantime, NHS Property Services were very active – much to the consternation of several parties:

East Devon MP Sire Hugo Swire calls on Health Secretary Matt Hancock to protect East Devon’s hospitals from high rents | Sidmouth Herald

NHS Property Services threatens Sidmouth GP practice viability – Claire Wright

NHS Property Services stitches up Dr Sytch’s Sidmouth surgery | East Devon Watch

And so we got a new Surgery on the hill:

Futures Forum: The new Beacon Medical Centre at Stowford opens

The Sid Valley Practice has now decided to close their town centre Surgery – but the question is:

What will happen to the current Blackmore Health Centre?

The Sid Valley Medical Centre in Sidmouth is looking to extend its main Beacon Medical Centre in Stowford as well as relocating some services from the satellite Blackmore Health Centre to Sidmouth Victoria Hospital.

The plans would see GP practice able to integrate primary care and hospital services while continuing to offer a service in the centre of Sidmouth, replace the current Blackmore site which is ‘unfit for purpose and not well suited for modern healthcare facilities’, and would expand its range of services and offer a better environment in which to see patients.

Sidmouth GP surgery announces expansion plans | sidmouth.nub.news

The Sid Valley Practice website says:

The practice has secured a grant from NHS England from the Estates and Technologies Transformations Fund to get the project to the point of being able to go out to tender…  NHS Property Services, who own Sidmouth Hospital and Blackmore Health Centre, would pay for any room alterations needed on their site.

Sidmouth Primary Care Improvement Project – Sid Valley Practice

Finally:

How can patients have their say ?

We should like your feedback on our plans. You can contact us by email at:

d-ccg.beacondevelopmentfeedback@nhs.net

We are encouraging everyone to complete the short survey, click here to complete.