NHS England is to be urged to make a ‘speedy decision’ about the expansion to Launceston Medical Centre by the centre’s patients’ group.

The decision to write directly to NHS England was made following news that plans for the expansion are now with the NHS Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group (KCCG), which is compiling a county-wide strategic plan for NHS properties and future spending on medical services.

Chairman of the patient group Maureen Amy said: “We were frustrated and disappointed to learn that the plan has encountered another hurdle.

“Launceston has been waiting for a decision on these plans for more than two years now. In the meantime the pressure is increasing because there has been more housing development in the town and there is yet more in the pipeline.

“It’s just not fair on our medical teams and it’s not fair on patients. We will be writing to NHS England asking for a timeframe for the decision and stressing that Launceston must be a priority.”

Medical centre business manager Peter Harper told the September meeting of the patient group: “Our extension plan has been submitted to NHS Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group for its ‘Estates Plan’. This outlines projected budget requirements and priorities and must be submitted to NHS England by October 1.

“Only when the KCCG confirms that it can accept the future rental of the new premises can NHS England make a final decision on whether to accept our original bid for funding from the Primary Care Infrastructure Fund.”

Earlier this year, the medical centre was told that its bid — submitted in March this year — had received conditional approval for a grant from the fund.

It was the third time the medical centre had submitted the plans to the NHS — in line with changing funding criteria.

Mr Harper told the patient group that the team at the medical centre was discussing the layout of the building in more detail with the architects: “We are looking at the current centre as well as the new building.

“For instance, with more consulting rooms we will need a bigger waiting room and a different reception desk. We will also be asking patients for their ideas on what we might do to improve their experience.

“Parking should no longer be an issue because we will have a new parking area alongside the new wing.”

Patients will have an opportunity to put their ideas forward on September 24 when the patient group will provide a morning information desk in the foyer at Tesco.

The patients’ group, which meets every six to eight weeks, provides a link between the medical centre and those who use it. Membership is open to patients, members of the medical centre staff, and representatives of patients’ groups. Anyone interested in joining may leave their names and contact details at the medical centre reception.

l Launceston Medical Centre was expected to be discussed at the next meeting of the community network panel yesterday (Wednesday).

The panel meeting, took place from 7pm to 9pm at Launceston’s Guildhall, and enabled residents to learn more about the new GP out of hours service and affordable housing strategy.

Kate Lock, general manager of the NHS out of hours service, will brief the panel on the new service.

Cornwall strategic affordable housing manager Louise Dwelly will provide an update on the affordable housing strategy and answer questions about how it relates to the Launceston area.

Liberal Democrat Cornwall Councillor Jade Farrington, chair of the network panel, said: “Health provision and affordable housing are key issues for people in the Launceston Community Network area. This is a chance for everyone to come along and find out more about these important topics.”

The network panel meets quarterly to discuss matters that affect the local area and to agree priorities that can be delivered by Cornwall Council and partners such as the police and health services.

Some of the areas that community networks focus on include anti-social behaviour, economic development, the environment, community planning, regeneration, conservation, community safety, transport and highway issues.

Launceston Community Network Panel includes all five Cornwall Councillors for the area and representatives of the 16 parishes in the community network — Altarnun, Boyton, Egloskerry, Laneast, Launceston, Lawhitton, Lewannick, Lezant, North Hill, North Petherwin, South Petherwin, St Stephens by Launceston, St Thomas the Apostle, Stoke Climsland, Trewen and Werrington.

The agenda and more information about the panel are available at www.cornwall.gov.uk/launcestoncna