IN less than two hours last week more than 60 patients had pledged to write letters to NHS England asking for a decision on funding for the much-needed expansion to Launceston’s Medical Centre.

They were the first to support the Patient Group’s drive to impress upon the NHS that plans for the expansion at the medical centre — which have been with the NHS for more than two years — are now a priority.

The Patient Group, with the help of staff from the medical centre, organised an information table in the foyer at Tesco last Thursday morning to provide an update on the medical centre’s expansion plans and offer assistance to those who wanted to write to the NHS about the delays.

Chairman of the Patient Group Maureen Amy said: “The tremendous support we received for our drive to get a speedy decision from the NHS took us by surprise.

“We knew that a lot of patients were frustrated by the delays, but we had not appreciated the strength of feeling.

“Some people made a special trip to Tesco that morning because they had read in the Post that we were organising the information table.

“We had printed 20 information sheets for people who wanted background information for writing letters, but that wasn’t nearly enough and Tesco was kind enough to print off another 40 for us.

“We want the NHS to understand that what’s involved is not simply a business case for expanded premises; we are now in a situation where the inadequate facilities impact daily on people who are already ill or anxious.

“It’s not just a few people who are affected, and that’s the point of encouraging everyone to write. We need to get the message across.”

Those patients wishing to express their concerns should contact NHS England, PO Box 16736, Redditch B97 9PT or email [email protected]

These contact details are the ones supplied by the Department of Health in response to a letter that medical centre business manager Peter Harper had sent to the Prime Minister, expressing concern over the delays.

Information for those who want to write to the NHS is now available on the medical centre website under the Patient Group tab.