New surgeries and existing practices wanting to expand to meet local demand for GP services are getting £12 million from the Town Hall to help meet the crisis of the rocketing population in London’s East End.
The cash agreed by Tower Hamlets Council’s cabinet means Bethnal Green’s new Sutton’s Wharf practice receives £2.5m, the new William Cotton practice in Bow Common gets £3.1m, the Aberfeldy Practice in Poplar £3.1m and the new Goodman’s Fields surgery in Whitechapel £3.4m.
“Patients and GPs have raised concerns about growing pressure on local surgeries,” Tower Hamlets Mayor John Biggs said.
“We have to deal with the reality of ongoing budget pressures, but are able to invest in the future of our local health services.”
The funding is aimed at expanding medical services offered by the surgeries and to cater for more appointments for patients, in the face of Government budget cuts.
The cash for new surgeries and improving GP services comes from contributions by developers with recent housing developments which are being used to invest in schools, health services and public spaces.
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