For some time, Teignmouth’s three GP practices have been exploring how they could increase their capacity. Each has limited space and each has already adapted their premises as much as possible. Having separately explored options for coping with future demand and providing the modern facilities which support contemporary care, the practices have decided that the best way of doing this is to co-locate in a new, modern building.
The three practices intend to remain independent but by bringing our Teignmouth surgeries together in one building we will be able to use our staff more effectively and provide better facilities for patients.
NHS South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) support this idea and together with Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, they are seeking the views of local people on moving some other local services so that they would join GPs in a new, modern health and care centre which would support a wide range of health needs in Teignmouth.
If such ideas are supported, the multi-disciplinary health and wellbeing team and some voluntary sector partners could join us in a new purpose built modern building which could also be the base for some outpatient clinics. If this idea was implemented, Teignmouth hospital would close once the new building was open.
After an options appraisal of a dozen sites, the current hospital site and the East Cliff Car Park seem to be two possible, viable options.
More information on the ideas under discussion is available at www.southdevonandtorbayccg.nhs.uk/teignmouth-engagement-2018 together with an electronic version of a feedback questionnaire which provides a simple way of commenting on the idea of GPs co-locating as well as the other service moves. A number of drop in events to enable people to ask questions have been organised:
15 May Bitton House, Teignmouth 11.30am-2.30pm, 6.30pm-8.30pm
23 May The Strand Centre, Dawlish 10.30am-2pm
23 May The Manor House, Dawlish 6.30pm-8.30pm
24 May Teign Heritage Centre, Teignmouth 10 pm-5pm
Each of the Teignmouth and Dawlish practices have paper copies of a summary document which includes the questionnaire and you can have a copy sent to you, and/or questions answered, by emailing sdtccg.teignmouthengagement@nhs.net, or by writing to Teignmouth Engagement, South Devon and Torbay CCG, Pomona House, Oak View Close, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 7FF or by calling 01803 652480.
GP practices, the CCG and the Trust are keen to get as many views as possible on the possibility of a new centre and to provide local people with the opportunity to shape any future plans to bring services together in a modern building in Teignmouth.
