By Louise Hill - BBC LDR
GP surgeries across the Isle of Wight could be extended, using money from major new housing developments.
The Isle of Wight Council is seeking Islanders’ views on a potential new policy in which developers would have to stump up cash if they want to build more than 20 homes.
County Hall is working in partnership with the NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, which oversees the provision of primary healthcare and allocates funds.
The money would go to alleviate future capacity problems, in areas where residents are moving into the new developments.
It would be spent improving buildings for health services and other facilities, rather than pay for more doctors.
The proposal is part of a planning document being drafted by officers at County Hall and could be approved later this year.
Other areas of the country have already implemented a similar policy.
To work out how much developers would pay, a calculation will take into account the length of existing patient lists, the capacity of current facilities and the cost of building new premises.
You can view the draft document and submit comments to the Isle of Wight Council here.
The consultation closes on April 2, before the policy goes to the Isle of Wight Council’s leading cabinet members later this year.
Press Release