Plans for a new GP surgery together with a brand new community hall for Mayfield have been approved by a Wealden planning committee this week.
The decision is warmly welcomed by Conservative council leader, Ann Newton who accompanied Wealden's MP, Nus Ghani, to the district's two cottage hospitals earlier in the week, suggesting that they could be used "more productively for the benefit of Wealden residents".
‘Whilst accompanying Nus, I was able to discuss with NHS representatives the need for more GPs and community surgeries across Wealden. Many of our current GP surgeries are oversubscribed and, with the additional housing in the offing (such as the 8,000 planning approvals waiting to be built) more surgeries and GP's are needed.
Cllr Newton also used the opportunity to try and improve dialogue between the district council and the NHS. "Wwe find it difficult to have dialogue with the NHS and this is something I asked to be set up", she said.
Since the on-site meeting, Cllr Newton has followed-up the idea with an invitation to meet within the next few weeks and is "hopeful of a positive outcome".
Nus has convened a successful local NHS-leaders forum and visited Crowborough War Memorial Hospital and Uckfield Community Hospital to champion health facilities in Wealden.
After a tour of the facilities, Nusrat was keen to discuss health services available to Wealden residents, opportunities for expansion of healthcare provision in the area to enhance local treatment and release pressure on neighbouring hospitals, and support for the Crowborough Birthing Unit and Minor Injuries Unit to prevent any temporary closures in the future.
Nusrat Ghani said: “The Crowborough and Uckfield Minor Injuries Units are key services for our local communities, helping to relieve the pressure on A&E departments in nearby hospitals. The Crowborough birthing centre is an important and enriching local service for parents-to-be, enabling more choice and support throughout pregnancy and childbirth.”
The MP was accompanied by the area's NHS chiefs as well as the Conservative leader of Wealden District Council, Ann Newton; and Conservative councillor Richard Hallett MBE, Vice President and Trustee of the Friends of Crowborough Hospital.
The original article is available here.
