Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will have discussions with the Integrated Care Board on the need for GP surgeries in Camelford and Bodmin.

Integrated care boards (ICB) are responsible for planning and commissioning healthcare services to meet the reasonable needs of the people for whom they are responsible, including primary medical services. ICBs are best placed to understand the needs of their local population and to make decisions on new general practice (GP) surgeries based on those needs. ICBs’ annual commissioning plans must consider requirements for new practices, including those driven by population growth, contract expiries, or unplanned closures. We expect ICBs to act if services are not meeting the reasonable needs of their patients.

The Government is committed to delivering a National Health Service that is fit for the future. That is why we have set out our commitment to fix the front door to the NHS, for example through the £102 million of capital funding announced at the Autumn Budget for upgrades to GP estates over the next financial year.

We know that some patients are struggling to see a GP and we are committed to improving GP provision across the country, including in the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB area.

We recognise the pressure that housing developments can place upon local health infrastructure. At a national level, we continue to work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to address this issue in national planning guidance and ensure all new and existing developments have an adequate level of healthcare infrastructure for the community.