During Wednesday’s Full Council, 12th July 2023, the Liberal Democrats gave their full support to the Conservative Mayor’s, Tom Wootton, manifesto pledge to address the serious lack of GP provision Bedford Borough.

For years residents across the Borough have been struggling to book GP appointments as local infrastructure has not kept pace with the unsustainable levels of house building.

In response, Borough Council officers have been working hard with the relevant parties to produce a “Joint Forward Plan” that sets out how we will meet the physical and mental health needs of Bedford Borough residents.

An important aspect of this plan is addressing challenges to accessing core primary care – GP’s. The Mayor previously promised to work with the NHS to improve the provision of GP surgeries and dentists to meet local demand – the Joint Forward Plan will provide us the opportunity to do so.

Bedford Conservatives and Bedford Council are currently working with NHS partners on a number of projects such as bringing forward GP estates, moving forward with the Kempston health Hub and Gt Barford projects.

For years the residents of Bedford Borough have paid the price for poor planning and investment, the Conservative administration will change this by putting the public first.

Conservative Councillor Martin Towler, Portfolio Holder Health, Public Health and Wellbeing expanded on GP provisions and Full Council commenting,

“The previous administration failed to engage effectively with health stakeholders when they were in office, leading in no small part to the current difficulties faced by Bedford residents in getting access to GP and primary care services. The newly elected Conservative administration is working constructively with health partners to address the serious lack of GP provision throughout Bedford Borough, including the long overdue surgery at Wixams and projects in Great Barford and Kempston"