LAUNCESTON councillors have welcomed the NHS’s decision to fund the much-needed expansion of the town’s medical centre following years of campaigning.

Cornwall Councillors Jade Farrington, Gemma Massey and Adam Paynter have been pushing the government to increase GP services in the growing town since they were first elected.

Cllr Farrington, who represents Launceston South, said: “Practice manager Peter Harper and his colleagues have worked tirelessly to battle bureaucracy and submit revision after revision of plans and proposals. It is absolutely fantastic to see all the effort pay off. There are still a few issues to sort out, but the funding is a great leap forward.”

Cllr Massey, who represents Launceston Central, said: “It has been hard to get a non-emergency appointment at Launceston Medical Centre for some time now, so the NHS’s decision to fund its expansion is excellent news.

“Planning permission has been granted for a big extension and a larger car park, which should meet the needs of the town.

“It’s probably the number one service issue which people raise with me so this is going to make an enormous difference to so many.”

Cllr Paynter, who represents Launceston North and North Petherwin, said many people had asked him to push for a second GP surgery to serve the north of the town and the surrounding villages, but unfortunately the NHS had rejected this.

Regular meetings have been held with the NHS and the Kernow Clinical Commissioning group to ensure they supported the surgery’s bid to expand.