IMPROVEMENTS are set to be made to the healthcare services in Tiptree, however, more long-term arrangements are needed to cope with the rising population.
The lead GP partner at Tiptree Medical Centre, Dr Mark Roberts met with representatives from the health sector to discuss the healthcare situation in north Essex.
He met with Witham MP Priti Patel, the Chief Executive of Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board Dr Ed Garratt and the chief executive officer of the COLTE Partnership Martin Chapman.
During the meeting at Colte Partnership’s offices in Feering they discussed a number of issues including GP provision in Tiptree and the challenges experienced by the surgery.
There are future plans involving the relocation of administration services to the central COLTE office, which will help free up space at Tiptree Medical Centre for direct patient care.
The representatives said this could “potentially see up to 30 per cent more space at the surgery".
Work is also ongoing to improve the telephone systems for the surgery for when patients contact to book an appointment.
A spokesman for Tiptree Parish Council said provisions are in place for a more long-term solution, for a new medical centre site in the Tiptree Neighbourhood Plan.
However, significant funding would be needed for this to be carried out.
Tiptree Parish Council chairman Jonathan Greenwood said: “Essentially the current health centre is short of capacity but does the best it can under the circumstances.
“Everyone recognises that Tiptree needs a larger health centre – this is already critical and there is more development and an increasing population to provide for.
“Unfortunately the current funding model is not very attractive to the practice partners so it is a bit of a stalemate.
“As part of the Neighbourhood Plan, one of our key developers has offered the gift of an area of one acre for a new health centre/hub.
“This is a very attractive offer and we have been in discussion with the relevant partners who were initially enthusiastic but with no outcome so far.
“Dental provision is also critical. For most newcomers to Tiptree, It has not been possible to register with the single NHS practice in the village for some years now.”
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