An update on our Felton GP surgery
We are writing to provide a long-awaited update on how we intend to ensure that we retain GP practice services in Felton.
As you will be aware, we were proposing to build a new surgery adjacent to Robson Grove. Due to significant increases in construction costs, this is no longer a financially viable option. As custodians of public funding, we must ensure that schemes of this nature are value for money while meeting the health needs of local communities.
We are pleased to let you know that revised plans still ensure that patients in Felton will have access to a refurbished, modern, local and accessible GP practice.
As you will be aware, Felton and Widdrington surgeries have been part of Northumbria Primary Care (NPC) since August 2023. NPC is a not-for-profit organisation which ensures reinvestment into patient care. NPC has recently purchased the existing Felton surgery building and the adjoining property, with a view to renovating both so that the local communities have access to a newly refurbished GP practice in the village. This demonstrates the commitment of NPC to provide primary care services locally and to also plan for growth as the population in the area increases.
It is hoped that work to renovate the property attached to the existing surgery will begin in November this year and take up to seven months to complete. Work has already begun on the design of the new practice, and we are in the process of securing a contractor to carry out this work.
The existing practice will remain open while this work is carried out, and the way patients contact NPC Felton and NPC Widdrington will remain unchanged. The current surgery’s space will be used as a dispensary (prescriptions and medicines collection service), ensuring that this service also remains.
The level of services provided by GP practices is influenced by the number of patients registered at each surgery. It is hoped that the provision from Felton could increase as the number of patients increases – this allows reinvestment into patient services.
We are always keen to work with patients, stakeholders and our patient participation groups to improve access to services and are keen to understand what community or voluntary services could support the wellbeing of the local community further. We are holding a public drop-in session on Thursday 12 June 2025 at Felton Village Hall, between 2pm and 6pm, to share our new plan with patients and stakeholders. We encourage people to come along and find out more. We would also appreciate it if you could share these details via any channels you use.
We are very pleased that we now have a confirmed plan going forward, and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Please email cara.charlton@northumbria-heatlhcare.nhs.uk.