EXPANSION plans for Launceston Medical Centre have taken another step forward — with NHS England giving verbal confirmation it will award pre-project costs.

The expansion would comprise a two-storey extension and extra parking, with plans for a ‘one-way’ flow of traffic in the surgery grounds.

Practice business manager Peter Harper last week told the Post: “I now have verbal approval, for which I am awaiting written confirmation, that NHS England have awarded the practice significant pre-project costs to enable us to move forward with detailed plans in order to obtain planning permission.”

At a packed public meeting about health provision, held in the town in December 2014, Mr Harper said a business plan for an extension at the centre had been agreed by the partners and submitted to NHS England around July 2013.

Former Liberal Democrat MP Dan Rogerson talked at the time of the meeting of ‘keeping the pressure up’ to enable the medical centre expansion, and the current MP for North Cornwall, Conservative Scott Mann, said the latest update was ‘very pleasing news’.

He added: “Our office in parliament has been working closely with the NHS to resolve this situation. I have asked for regular monthly updates.

“I am working closely with the Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group who are very aware of the situation — trying to make sure we have got the information from the Kernow CCG and NHS so we can get some movement on this as quickly as possible.”

Launceston Medical Centre currently has an open list for new patients, but Mr Harper said they are ‘obviously fully aware’ of housing plans for the town.

He added: “Whilst we are waiting for our expansion plans to be approved we have converted further rooms within the existing building to provide additional consulting space.

“We have also recently employed a paramedic for two days a week at the practice to increase our clinical staff.”

Mr Mann said he felt it ‘important’ that there is provision for health and education when there are new housing developments.

A spokesperson for NHS England said its position was ‘unchanged’ since December, when it told the Post: “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.”