MP ramps up calls for second Melton GP surgery

That is the feeling of Melton MP, Alicia Kearns who said she was ‘disappointed’ by the decision taken by Latham House Medical Practice and their partner surgeries in the Melton, Syston and the Vale Primary Care Network (PCN), which operates the centre at Melton Sports Village.

The PCN say it will no longer deliver jabs there after June 27 but the MP said today (Friday) she had been reassured by the local clinical commissioning group (CCG) that a new provider will be in place by then to keep the Melton vaccine centre open.

Reacting to the PCN’s announcement, Mrs Kearns said: “This is a decision that I know worries many residents.

“Whilst I am disappointed by their decision, Latham House made this decision as they want to focus on the primary care needs of their patients.

“This once again confirms the need for a second GP Practice for Melton.

“I continue to work hard to deliver this election commitment and I can share that good progress is being made.”

She gave an update this morning on the moves to maintain the existing vaccination centre at Melton after the PCN steps back from delivering the service.

“I’ve had extensive discussions with our CCG and the Vaccines’ Minister over the last week, and I am relieved that they have reassured me that a new provider will take over during May with a five to seven day service so that we can crack on with vaccinating those outside of cohorts one to nine, and that the vaccination centre at Melton Sports Village will remain open,” said Mrs Kearns.

“Residents can also be assured that Latham House will deliver first and second doses to all those in cohorts one to nine between now and June 25.

“I visited Melton Sports Village last week to thank our clinicians and volunteers, especially the Melton Lions.

“I’ve also been reassured that all those volunteering at the vaccination centre currently will also be invited to continue.”

However, some patients have posted on social media that they’ve been unable to book first dose appointments this week at the Melton vaccination centre.

And Latham House has confirmed that it does not presently have enough vaccine to deliver further first jabs.

It said in a statement: “At this time we only have a vaccine supply to support our second dose schedule from the Melton Sports Village site.

“We do not have any future scheduled first dose vaccination clinics planned for the Melton Sports Village site.”

They ask patients not to call the practice to book a first dose but instead to arrange it by calling 119 or via the online NHS booking website.

We reported in March that plans were being formulated to create a health and leisure park in Melton which may also include a second GP surgery for the town.

Senior representatives of Melton Borough Council and the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Groups (LLRCCG) have been looking into the feasibility of the scheme.

Any new surgery would supplement the existing services currently offered to town residents by doctors and nurses at Latham House Medical Practice, in Sage Cross Street.

Demands for an extra GP practice are being mooted with thousands of new homes due to be built in the town over the next 20 years as part of the Local Plan.