GP expansion at pub is a failure, says councillor

The expansion of a GP surgery at the site of a derelict pub, rather than a new "super surgery" being built, has been branded a "complete failure" by a councillor.

Ipswich Borough Council approved plans for Cardinal Medical Practice to convert The Inkerman on Norwich Road into more clinical rooms on Wednesday, which NHS bosses said was a "huge step forward" for local provision.

Initial plans had been to open a new £7.75m surgery at the former Tooks Bakery site, but this was axed due to the cost in October last year.

Leader of the Conservatives at the council, Ian Fisher, said the former pub was "not a suitable location" and represented a failure by NHS bosses.

"It's almost as if we're expected to be thankful because we're getting something, even though it's nothing even remotely close to what we were promised in the first place," Mr Fisher said.

He added: "Financially, it may have been difficult, but I can't see how the finances changed that much in between the time when it was first agreed and then it didn't come to fruition.

"Finances are pressed across many areas, ask anyone on the street, finances are pressed for all of us, but the NHS has got a duty to provide a provision in this local area, but it is failing to do that."

Oliver Holmes, Liberal Democrat councillor on the planning committee, welcomed the new plans but said the issues around the old Tooks Bakery site had been a "fiasco which has gone on for many years".

Dr Ed Garratt, chief executive of the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, said he was "really excited" by the plans.

Asked if he understood why there was some disappointment around the scrapped Tooks Bakery plans, he said: "I think people will be excited by the final product.

"We will have state-of-the-art consultation rooms, there will be better facilities for the staff and expanded access for the community.

"There will be a lot of positivity once this project is completed."

Dr Garratt added that financial negotiations on the plans had not yet been completed.

Carole Jones, Labour planning committee member and ward councillor for Westgate, said while the Tooks Bakery site "would have been wonderful", she was pleased a building was being renovated.

"It will provide much-needed services for local people, and that's a good thing," she said.

"There's a bit of disappointment, but also certainly we're glad to have this brought forward, a decision made and a new provision coming to us."

Ipswich resident Becky Brooker said it was "good that they are expanding" and was happy with the plans.

"We've not really had any problems getting appointments with the doctors' surgery," she said.

"As long as they are seeing us, then I am fine with it."

She added that the biggest issue she had at the moment was parking, "especially with kids", and the new surgery would provide 12 new spaces.

Tia Bell, however, felt patients had been "short-changed".

"It feels like we, as the regular citizen, are not being respected," she explained.

"A few rooms here, but are we sure they're going to be up to standard?

"Are we sure that what we care about is going to be valued?"

Joanne Ovenall said she feared the traffic would be worse in the area with the new practice.

Speaking of the former Tooks Bakery site plans, she said: "That would have been nice, but I didn't really take notice of how big it was going to be.

"[The Inkerman plan is] more important, really, because they would have closed all the others. I would take it [with Tooks Bakery].

"I know all the new houses need it, and they'll also need new schools."

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