DELAYS over the expansion of Launceston’s medical centre have been criticised by the area’s Cornwall Councillors.

Liberal Democrats Adam Paynter, who represents Launceston North and North Petherwin, and Jade Farrington, who represents Launceston South, said two public bodies are ‘failing to effectively communicate’.

They met NHS England and the Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group (KCCG), as well as a representative from Launceston Medical Centre, early last month in an effort to keep up pressure in support of the expansion.

Cllr Paynter said: “There is a consensus that Launceston Medical Centre urgently needs to double in size to meet the needs of the town and surrounding parishes as our population grows.

“Launceston’s Liberal Democrat councillors are fully supportive of the medical centre’s plans but they are being held back by NHS England and the KCCG.

“It was abundantly clear at the meeting that the two bodies are

not effectively communicating and this is leading to further unnecessary delays.”

Cllr Farrington said she has been campaigning for the medical centre’s expansion since before she was elected. Last year she instigated a packed public meeting where the urgent need was impressed upon NHS England and the KCCG by councillors with the support of the then MP for North Cornwall, Liberal Democrat Dan Rogerson.

Cllr Farrington said: “The doctors and staff at Launceston Medical Centre are doing an excellent job with the facilities they have, but they’re simply not big enough to meet the growing need. They recognise this and want to expand but every time they get over a hurdle a new one is put in its place.

“I welcome NHS England’s promise of money to help them submit a planning application, but there is still no indication that the NHS is any closer to resolving how the ongoing costs will be paid for should the build be given the go-ahead.

“They are hamstrung by the Conservative Government’s ridiculous policy which means that builds must be completed within a year in order to be funded and no money is available for ongoing costs.”

The councillors said they pledge to continue to push for the medical centre’s expansion and will meet again with NHS England and KCCG in the new year to keep up the pressure.

A spokesman for NHS England in the South West said: “NHS England has now authorised funding and specialist support to help Launceston develop its business case for expansion, given that it has been identified as a priority by both NHS England and Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group.

“This process is essential because other GP practices in Devon and Cornwall also have capacity issues, but all must be set against a limited pot of taxpayers’ money, both for building work and to cover increased running costs.

“The Launceston proposals will need to be affordable, demonstrate how they meet demand and fit in with the CCG’s own vision for its estate. Only then can a final decision be taken.”

Dr Chris Anthony, of Launceston Medical Centre, told the Post: “The primary hold-up is still very much based on the CCG’s estates assessment and there’s nothing that can go ahead until that’s taken place. It’s completely out of our hands, and it’s very frustrating.

“All estate plans were being dealt with centrally by central Government and only recently devolved that power to clinical commissioning groups.

“We are as stuck and frustrated as everyone is but at least they are looking like they are making progress and have listed us a priority as far as that process goes. I’m with councillors on their frustrations.”

Dr Anthony said he understands the estates assessment is due to be completed in February 2016.

He also said he had spoken with Conservative North Cornwall MP Scott Mann on Saturday about the expansion plans, and said Mr Mann is ‘highly supportive’.

The subject of GP?recruitment was also raised with Mr Mann by Dr Anthony, who said recruiting GPs is currently a ‘national problem’.

Dr Anthony, who was due to meet the MP again before the end of this week, added: “We are trying to be as clever as we can about not just recruitment of GPs but other healthcare professionals. We have a paramedic starting with us in January. We are looking at recruitment of GPs from the European Union.

“I will speak to Scott Mann about how he might be able to help with the red tape surrounding GP recruitment.”