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.
We are currently completing the design phase of the project, and the planning application will be submitted by the end of this month. We expect the planning process to be completed by mid-February. Our contractor tendering and appointment process should be completed by early January.
It is hoped that work to refurbish the GP practice will begin in mid-February and this will take around five months to complete. Patients should be able to access the refurbished surgery by the middle of July 2026. We appreciate and thank you for your patience and understanding while this work is carried out. You can view the proposed floor plan for the surgery here: ground floor, first floor.
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.
Thank you to all of our patients and residents who attended the engagement sessions over the summer. We are holding a further drop-in session between 4.30pm and 6.30pm on Monday 8 December at Felton Village Hall, Main Street, NE65 9NH.
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-healthcare.nhs.uk.
Due to a significant rise in construction costs, building a new surgery near Robson Grove was no longer financially viable. As we are responsible for the appropriate use of public funds and ensuring value for money, the decision was made to find a more cost-effective solution while still meeting local healthcare needs.
Northumbria Primary Care (NPC) has purchased the existing Felton surgery building and the adjoining property to ensure primary care services remain in the village. These will be renovated to provide a modern and accessible GP practice.
Northumbria Primary Care (NPC is managing these changes. Felton and Widdrington surgeries have been part of NPC since August 2023. NPC is a not-for-profit organisation – any surplus money is reinvested into improving patient care.
We are currently completing the design phase of the project, and the planning application will be submitted by the end of this month. We expect the planning process to be completed by mid-February. Our contractor tendering and appointment process should be completed by early January.
It is hoped that work to refurbish the GP practice will begin in mid-February and this will take around five months to complete. Patients should be able to access the refurbished surgery by the middle of July 2026.
Yes. The existing surgery will remain open throughout the renovation process. The dispensary service will continue operating in its current space.
We will update patients if they need to change how they access the building as a result of this work.
Yes, you can see them on the page above.
We will be including additional parking to the rear of the surgery for staff in the pre-application for planning permission. They will have access to the practice by a new footpath. This will reduce congestion at the front of the surgery, creating more available parking for patients.
Emergency vehicles will have access to the building in an emergency, but there are no designated ambulance drop-off spaces at the site. This is due to lack of space.
This land is owned by the parish council and any questions relating to it need to be directed to them.
For more information or to ask questions, please check our GP practice website https://www.northumbriaprimarycare.co.uk. You can email queries to nencicb-nor.widdringtonandfelton@nhs.net.
Yes, the PPG will be regularly updated as plans develop. Their and all patient input is valued.
Updates will be shared through multiple channels, including the practice website, in-practice (noticeboards), social media, village newsletters, drop-in sessions and via the PPG/other key stakeholders. Please be assured that we are committed to keeping you informed every step of the way.
The way you contact your practice will remain unchanged.
We have recently increased GP and some other provision at the surgery and are constantly looking at what additional services can be provided.
The level of services provided depends on the number of registered patients. As the local population grows and if the Felton surgery patient list-size grows, it is hoped that services in Felton can expand, enabling further reinvestment into patient care.
While not all appointments can be guaranteed to take place in Felton, the redevelopment aims to increase capacity and improve facilities, which should make it easier to access more services locally. As above, GP provision has increased. This is dependent and based on the number of patients registered at Felton surgery increasing.
The redevelopment of the surgery will ensure services are retained within Felton village and will improve both patient and staff experience. As promised, we are reviewing services we provide in Felton. GP and some other provision have been increased, and the surgery currently has clinics also run by advanced clinical practitioners, practice nurses, district nurses, health care assistants and mental health and wellbeing coaches.
Felton surgery remains part of NPC Felton and Widdrington practice. Most staff will work across both surgeries. This provides workforce resilience.
Yes, a self-service blood pressure monitoring machine is planned as part of the redevelopment, so patients can check their readings easily and regularly.
Yes, and we welcome feedback in relation to what would support the village/wellbeing of residents.
See below for the response from NPC Felton’s PPG
The PPG are delighted that NPC have made the commitment to providing medical services to our community. The purchase and subsequent refurbishment of Middle Farm shows a huge financial undertaking. In doing so, medical services in our community are guaranteed for the long term.
