No doctors: no new development. Lib Dem Jake Beavan calls for greater investment into Bishops Itchington Surgery

Bishops Itchington residents are struggling to get doctors appointments in their branch. Many are driving to Harbury or registering with other surgeries further away. This is inconvenient for the majority of these residents but it is unfortunately not even an option for some. For some residents - particularly older individuals and those without private transport - travelling outside the village for appointments is simply not a viable option.

The branch is open less than half of the time of other surgeries. Latest data shows they only have the equivalent of 4 full time doctors and the highest rate of people over 75 per doctor of any Warwickshire surgery that is spread over 2 villages. But it will only get worse if all 600 houses currently in the planning pipeline for the village are approved. Stratford-on-Avon District is already struggling, seeing over 10,000 new homes while losing 2 surgeries.

This is why the Liberal Democrats are calling nationally to guarantee developer investment in GP provision with new developments - and that these facilities are up and running in areas of new development as soon as the first homes are sold.

Local Lib Dem councillor Natalie Gist has been working hard to get investment in Fenny Compton surgery from developers - the developers agreed to provide £200,000 for primary health care in the village - she is still battling to get it into the hands of the surgery.

Local resident Pat Ruddock said: “I worked at Bishops Itchington surgery for 20 years and while it was not always easy, people could get appointments in the village. But it is much harder now, with more and more people moving here. I worry for people like me who can no longer drive and really need doctors appointments - what are we supposed to do?”

Jake Beavan, Liberal Democrat candidate for the Bishops Itchington, Fenny Compton and Napton by-election said:
“Natalie has been working hard to get developers to invest in Fenny Compton surgery and I aim to do the same for Bishops Itchington. Whether it be schools, doctors or water pipes - we cannot expect rural communities to take on hundreds of new homes with the same threadbare services. That is why if you elect me, I will hold developers' feet to the fire so that they do right by our community.”