PLANS to expand Beggarwood Surgery “will be included” in a new initiative looking at all practices managed by North Hampshire Clinical Commission Group (NHCCG).

This month, The Gazette revealed new proposals for the Island Site, a piece of undeveloped land between the A30, Winchester Road and Beggarwood Lane, which include a new pub, retirement housing, care home and specialist care facility and dental surgery.

At present the dental surgery and Beggarwood Surgery share the same building.

If successful, it is hoped the new development, proposed by lando wner Grainger PLC, will create 150 jobs, including 80 new jobs for nurses, care work s and support staff at it s care home.

Pam Hobbs, chief finance officer at NHCCG, said it was in the process of gathering details on all the premises it uses to ensure that each one is “fit for purpose and able to respond to future needs be they to support increases in population, or to support new models of care such as supporting those who have a long-term condition, such as diabetes.”

She added: “Once we have a clear picture we will be able to establish the need for expansion/reconfiguration or new developments and prioritise these. Finances are limited, but we recognise that having suitable buildings can pla y a significant par t in effective service transformation.

“As things progress the CCG will be working with partners and the public in informing its decision making.

“We expect Beggarwood practice to be included and this will be included in the option appraisal.”

The plans have taken nearly a year to create, after Grainger consulted with residents about what they wished to see the site used for. 

More than 230 people responded to the consultation, with 65 per cent of respondents saying a pub would benefit the community.

Councillor Terri Reid, councillor for Beggarwood and Hatch Warren, was “hopeful” the CCG’s review may mean larger space at Beggarwood Surgery.

She said: “It’s an ideal time for the CCG to step in and hopefully address the well-documented problems.

“There will be pressure on the surgery with the population growing in the area due to developments being built.

“The worry is the CCG is slow to react and all this does is cause more suffering for people who use it.”

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