More GPs and major refurb announced for Melton's Latham House
Melton’s GP surgery says patients will get better access to appointments as a result of more doctors being taken on and a major refurbishment of the building.
Latham House Medical Practice, which has more than 35,000 registered patients, said it recognised that some people have struggled to see a doctor because of an increasing demand for services and a shortage of available staff, with some leaving at short notice.
In response, three new salaried GPs - Dr Mayank Patel, Dr Abi Ludlow and Dr Tochukwu Uzochukwu – have been taken on and a further three doctors will join the surgery later this year, alongside First Contact Physiotherapist, Alex Roberts.
Some of these appointments will replace clinicians who have moved on while others represent genuine growth in the practice workforce and a reduction in the reliance on temporary locum cover.
Alongside recruitment, substantial investment is being made in the Sage Cross surgery.
Suite eight is being refurbished to provide four additional GP consulting rooms, while suite nine (formerly Jupes) is being transformed to create four further clinical rooms and a dedicated reception area.
These new facilities will support GP, nursing and healthcare assistant services and will enable the practice to make the best use of its growing clinical team.
Practice manager, Paul Crosbie, commented: "We know that some of our patients have found it difficult at times to access a GP appointment as quickly as they would like, and we understand the frustration this can cause.
"General practice is facing workforce challenges nationally, and as clinicians move on we have worked hard to maintain services through a combination of recruitment and locum support.
"We are delighted that we have been successful in attracting a number of excellent new clinicians to join our team.”
The practice hopes to have both refurbished suites fully operational in time to support the 2026 flu vaccination programme and believes the investment will deliver lasting benefits for patients across the local community.
CEO and partner GP, Dr Matthew Riley, added: "By expanding both our workforce and our clinical space, we are creating a stronger and more sustainable service for the future.
"Our goal is to improve access, offer greater continuity of care, and ensure that patients can receive the right care from the right professional when they need it."