PLANS to double the size of Launceston Medical Centre are still 'awaiting approval', due to bureaucracy hold-ups.

A larger facility is much anticipated by patients and staff, due to the ever-increasing population of the surrounding area. If given the go-ahead, this will be the biggest development to the centre since it was built in 1992.

The medical centre has ten GPS with a combined total of 17,500 patients, serving most of the population in a ten-mile radius, with some attending a small practice in Lifton.

Discussions with GP partners and Peter Harper, Launceston Medical Centre business manager, have been underway for around two years, but it is hoped the business case submitted by GP partners last July, will be approved later this year.

The proposal is for a two-storey extension on the Launceston Hospital side of the surgery. This is effectively doubling the size of the current 600m building and will incorporate additional car parking to the side and back of the surgery, which has been agreed in principal with Launceston Hospital trustees.

For the full report, and a round up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.